Corporate Malaysia’s unique race marked 10th anniversary with over RM1.75 million for charity

Kuala Lumpur, 11 August 2009 -- The Edge-Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Rat Race celebrated its 10th anniversary this year with the participation of 159 teams of five runners each from 67 local and foreign, private and public-listed companies. Their combined efforts helped raise a total of RM1,750,000.

The entire proceeds were channelled towards the following twenty charitable organisations in the country:

1. Independent Living & Training Centre Selangor & WP KL          
2. Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation - National Centre
3. Lotus Planet Street Food Programme
4. Malaysian Rare Disorders Society (PPJJM)
5. PACOS Trust
6. Persatuan Kebajikan Insan Istimewa Melaka
7. Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-kanak Yatim Rumah Visi (Vision Home)
8. Persatuan Kebajikan Rumah Perlindungan Teratak Nur Insan (NURI) KL & Selangor
9. Persatuan Kebajikan Warga Tua, Manjung, Perak
10. Persatuan Orang-orang Cacat Anggota Malaysia
11. Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-kanak Cacat Klang Selangor
12. Persatuan SLE Malaysia
13. Rumah Kebajikan Kanak-kanak Cacat Negeri Perak
14. Rumah Shalom
15. Second Chance Community Home
16. St Barnabas Home
17. Treat Every Environment Special Sdn. Bhd. (TrEES)
18. Women's Aid Organisation
19. Yayasan Pembangunan Nur Hikmah
20. Yayasan Kebajikan & Perkhidmatan Perubatan Malaysia - Rumah Amal Kasih Bestari

“This year marks another milestone for us at The Edge and Bursa Malaysia as we celebrate the first ten years of the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race. We would like to thank all who have come forward with their generosity. Many companies have supported this event continuously every year, which certainly shows their commitment and loyal following of this race to benefit charity. We also continue to have new companies joining the Rat Race fraternity each year. This speaks volumes for Corporate Malaysia and Malaysians in general,” said Mr Ho Kay Tat, Adviser of the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race and Editor-in-Chief of The Edge.

Dato’ Yusli Mohamed Yusoff, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia said, “The 10th anniversary of the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race is indeed a time to celebrate. For the past decade, Corporate Malaysia has been racing for very noble reasons and has demonstrated their commitment to this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. Since the first race in 2000, 110 charitable organisations have benefited from the funds collected. We certainly hope to see more participation from Corporate Malaysia in the years to come.”

He added, “Bursa Malaysia is pledging again to plant one tree for every participating team in the Rat Race. We will be planting more than 150 trees this year, which is also an effort to offset carbon footprints to the environment. We have also successfully planted 140 trees in the Kepong Metropolitan Park from last year’s race. This is in line with the Exchange’s commitment towards achieving the international standards for environment management system of ISO 14001.”

The run kicked-off with the 1km CEO Race, where 61 captains of industry took part. This was followed by the 4.5km main race. Both started from the grounds of Bursa Malaysia, which was also be the finishing point of the Race.

Deputy Minister of Finance, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Wira Chor Chee Heung, flagged-off the runners.

Awards were presented to the company that sent in the most number of teams, the three fastest teams, male and female runners from each category and the top three male and female CEOs from the 1km CEO Race. This year’s race also saw the introduction of a new seniors category.

As participants ran in their office attire and carried other ‘executive’ gadgets like mobile phones, PDAs, briefcases and notebooks, or even dressed in costumes relevant to their nature of business, there were also prizes for the three best dressed teams and the best dressed CEO. Awards recognising the three best cheerleading teams and the most senior runner were also handed out. 

Modelled after the Carey Wall Street Rat Race in New York, the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race idea draws from the realisation that besides getting caught in the proverbial rat race to climb the corporate ladder of success, executives and corporations need to fulfil their corporate social responsibilities. This annual event provides the platform for that and is gaining more recognition from Corporate Malaysia. This is also an event where workers from different companies and industries get together and let their hair down for a day.

Donations collected are channelled towards selected beneficiaries involved in various causes. The substantial increase in the funds collected proves the Rat Race to be a hit among corporations who want to do their part in the community. A total of over RM9.4 million has been channelled to 110 charitable organisations since the race’s debut in 2000.

The Edge-Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Rat Race was organised by The Edge and Bursa Malaysia, and supported by Yayasan Bursa Malaysia. The Federal Territory Amateur Athletic Association (FTAAA) provided technical support.

Official sponsors for the event were Coca-Cola Malaysia, Astro, and LiteFM. Celcom (Malaysia) Bhd and Sapura Group of Companies were the Gold Sponsors, Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd the Silver Sponsor and EON Bank Bhd the Bronze Sponsor.