KUALA LUMPUR: It was a happy day for giraffes Tilly and Gerald, and Malayan tiger Jagoh recently, when Zoo Negara welcomed Malaysia’s largest home improvement retailer MR. D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad (MR D.I.Y.) as its latest partner.
The retailer today announced the completion of a two-year contribution worth RM408,288 under its #DIY4ZooNegara initiative, which included funds for the adoption of the three animals. The funds, disbursed over 2021-2022, also went towards improving and upkeeping zoo facilities, upgrading the roof and tunnel floors in the tigers’ enclosure, and building gazebos for the use of visitors. The retailer also contributed hardware tools, equipment, uniforms, and special edition face masks for the zoo’s 300 employees.
Handing over the #DIY4ZooNegara contribution, MR D.I.Y. Group Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Ong said, “Many of us have fond memories of childhood outings at Zoo Negara, an iconic landmark for generations of Malaysians. Visits to the zoo help promote an appreciation of our nation’s rich diversity and the importance of a sustainable ecosystem. This #DIY4ZooNegara initiative helped to ensure current and future generations are able to continue enjoying the same experiences.”
In April 2021, MR D.I.Y. ran a Facebook poll inviting Malaysians to help name the adopted animals by casting votes on their favourite names. Malaysians chose to name the two giraffes Tilly and Gerald , while the male tiger was named Jagoh.
“The adoption of Tilly, Gerald, and Jagoh, along with the contribution of equipment, tools, uniforms, and face masks, has helped ensure Zoo Negara remains a happy place for visitors and employees alike. We also hope this will inspire more corporates to find ways of adding value to our country’s many iconic attractions,” added Ong.
The #DIY4ZooNegara initiative was one of many community outreach activities MR D.I.Y has initiated to help organisations and communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since January 2022, it has contributed test kits to underprivileged communities, and initiated the #DIY4Sungai campaign, designed to ensure popular tourist areas adjacent to rivers and waterways are restored and ready to welcome tourists again. It also organised the #DIY4UM and #DIY4UTAR programmes in partnership with Universiti Malaya and Universiti Tuanku Abdul Rahman respectively, designed to help more than 15,000 students prepare for the return to their campuses post-pandemic.
In December 2021, MR D.I.Y. was admitted to the globally renowned FTSE4Good Index 2021, a reflection of the home improvement retailer’s efforts to continuously make a positive impact on the communities in which they operate. -pr/BNN
