Palm Oil Giant Musim Mas Pledges Third Tranche of S$5 million In Boost to Local Charities

Latest donation makes it S$16 million in 5 years as the Singapore-based company reaffirms commitment to improving lives

SINGAPORE, May 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Palm oil giant Musim Mas Group has announced its latest S$5 million donation to selected local charities. This brings the group's total donations since 2019 to S$16 million.

The commitment underscores Musim Mas' unwavering dedication to improving the lives of communities in the regions in which it operates.

Musim Mas is no stranger to the philanthropic scene. The Group donated S$1 million in 2019 to the Alzheimer's Disease Association (ADA), followed by S$5 million in June 2020 during the height of COVID-19, to help five charity organizations affected by the pandemic. In 2023, Musim Mas pledged a second tranche of S$5 million to six charities.

Mr Alvin Lim, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Musim Mas Group said: "Building on our commitment to improving the lives of communities, we are honored to announce this donation. At Musim Mas, we believe in empowering our communities and providing a helping hand to those in need. This donation is a testament to our dedication to creating a more equitable and supportive society for all Singaporeans."

Musim Mas' donation will go towards causes including healthcare research, mental health, people with disabilities, the underprivileged, youth, and sports.

STRENGTHENING SOCIAL COMPACT

This is in support of the government's call to strengthen Singapore's social compact via the Forward Singapore exercise, ensuring that no one is left behind as the nation fosters an inclusive society for all citizens.

Among the beneficiaries is PCF Sparkletots @ Joo Chiat, which receives a S$300,000 donation to kick-start a bursary initiative that enables children from underprivileged families to attend pre-school.

Speaking at the sponsorship launch on 28 April, Mr Edwin Tong, the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, applauded Musim Mas for sharing the government's Forward Singapore vision.

Said Mr Tong, who is also the Member of Parliament Marine Parade GRC (Joo Chiat): "The impact that businesses can have on easing societal issues cannot be underestimated. Musim Mas is a good example of a company that oriented their business practices and vision towards being a force for good for society. More than their generosity, I applaud them for sharing the government's vision in strengthening our social compact and making strong contributions to the community in the spirit of Forward Singapore."

SUPPORTING UNDERPRIVILEGED, YOUTH AND SPORTS

Other recipients include the Majurity Trust (S$1.1 million), the Community Chest (S$1 million), SportCares, the philanthropic arm of Sport Singapore (S$500,000), and the Salvation Army (S$100,000).

The Majurity Trust will use the funds for the Musim Mas Blue Star Fund that supports 10 non-profits and charities that provide mental health support for youths and children. Suicide is the leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 29 in Singapore and this fund seeks to address this by supporting research, intervention including counselling, educational programmes and public awareness.

The Community Chest donation will go towards a variety of causes that support the under-privileged, at-risk children and youths, and other vulnerable groups.

The funds will also help SportsCares support the underprivileged to take up sports, and for the Salvation Army to fund its community programmes.

SUPPORTING HEALTHCARE RESEARCH, MENTAL HEALTH, THE DISABLED

Musim Mas also donated to Singapore General Hospital (S$1 million), Happee Hearts Movement (S$250,000), National Neuroscience Institute (S$250,000), VIVA Foundation for Children with Cancer (S$250,000), Metta Welfare Association (S$250,000).

Singapore General Hospital will use the donation to establish the first Asian hub for the Global Mental Health Innovation Network (MHIN Asia). This hub will facilitate research, knowledge-sharing, promote the integration of findings into policy and practice, and raise visibility of member organizations' mental health initiatives by engaging partners across South and Southeast Asia. Additionally, the funds will support the launch of a regional fellowship program aimed at enhancing health systems and fostering innovations and collaboration among healthcare practitioners and researchers across Asia.

Happee Hearts Movement provides a holistic and integrated clinical service for adults with intellectual disability and their caregivers, and works closely with partners across the health and social sectors to build capability and capacity. Happee Hearts is also embarking on research with established academics to validate its practices and interventions. The donation from Musim Mas will contribute to its work, allowing the movement not only to grow its direct clinical services, but also to scale its work through community building, so that many more can benefit.

National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) will use the funds towards the establishment of a Neuroscience Education Fund. This fund aims to support cross-border fellowship and training programmes for healthcare professionals, and faculty development in Neuroscience Education. The fund hopes to provide financial support for overseas fellows to participate in NNI fellowship programmes in Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology, and healthcare professionals in Singapore participating in global health neuroscience programmes.

Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer will use the fund towards a series of projects for medical research, outreach with the VIVA Fiesta, and empowering and supporting children with cancer through the VIVA Family Educational Day and VIVA Life Program.

Metta Welfare Association will use the donation towards supporting its Youth Employment Support programmes including Arts@Metta, Metta Café and ECO@Metta to empower Metta School graduates aged 18 and above, diagnosed with mild intellectual disability with/without autism through vocational training, facilitating their transition into gainful employment. Metta also strives to equip them with life skills through its comprehensive training and development programmes, which promote independence and economic integration into society.

About Musim Mas Holdings

Musim Mas Group is an integrated palm oil company, operating in 13 countries. From plantations, to mills, refineries, kernel-crushing plants, oleochemicals, and specialty fats plants, Musim Mas manufactures palm oil products and value-added derivatives. Musim Mas is one of the largest domestic producers and exporters in Indonesia. Inter-Continental Oils and Fats (ICOF), a member of Musim Mas Group, undertakes global marketing activities.

The Group is committed to sustainability and was the first company with significant operations in Indonesia to join the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in 2004. Committed early to emissions reductions, Musim Mas is a signatory to the Agriculture Sector Roadmap to 1.5 Degrees convened by the Tropical Forest Alliance. The roadmap aims to halt commodity-linked deforestation in line with the 1.5-degree pathway while enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and supporting the sector's transformation toward forest-positive land-use management. In January 2024, Musim Mas announced that it will strive to achieve net zero by 2050, aligning with climate science as per the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Musim Mas also manages the most extensive independent smallholder programs in Indonesia.

Media contact:
Devane Sharma
communications@musimmas.com

source: Musim Mas Holdings