KUALA LUMPUR: Wisma Putra has launched an initiative to allow individuals, groups and organisations contribute essential medical equipment for Malaysian diplomatic frontliners abroad.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the ministry also welcomed contributions from corporations, non-governmental organisations, political parties and governments to the Malaysia’s Diplomatic Equipment Stockpile (MDES).
The ministry, he said, was receptive of all types of contributions for its headquarters’s staff in Malaysia as well as at 106 diplomatic missions worldwide.
Hishammuddin said diplomatic frontliners were facing a challenging task in assisting Malaysians stranded abroad especially in the countries severely affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
“The diplomatic frontliners need to be provided with adequate protection such as medical gloves, face masks and hand sanitisers every time they go out in places including airports to negotiate on behalf of the Malaysian government.
“However, I do not want to burden the government by taking the medical equipment contributed to National Disaster Management Agency and give it to our diplomatic officers abroad since the medical frontliners here hospitals as well as the police and the Malaysian Armed Forces need the equipment too.
“Therefore, Wisma Putra has launched (MDES), which is a voluntary medical device fund for anyone who can and want to contribute,” said Hishammuddin in a statement today.
Hishammuddin also thanked the Chinese government for becoming the first to contribute to the MDES.
China had contributed 10,000 face masks to the initiative by the ministry.
“I hope many more will come forward and contribute to the MDES.
“If the amount of medical equipment collected through MDES exceeds Wisma Putra’s requirement, we will share it with Nadma to enable the agency to distribute it to those in need,” he said.