Tiger Beer denies donating funds to schools

 

Tiger Beer said RM413 million has been contributed by the local community through CECC since the platform’s inception with no donations from the beer brand to schools. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Tiger Beer has denied ever giving donations to schools, claiming that its role in the recent controversial school fundraiser only involved performances by local artistes at the concert organised for contributors.

In a statement today, the company said it was only involved with the school’s parent-teacher association and board of directors.

“The Chinese Education Charity Concert (CECC) has been around for 30 years. Its mission is to be a platform to help the community raise funds to upgrade facilities at Chinese schools in need.

Until today, RM413 million has been contributed by the local community through CECC, with no donations from our beer brand to schools,

 it said.

The company said the platform’s organisers had been careful to ensure all their programmes and activities respected local sensitivities and complied with regulations.

The controversy first erupted when PAS took issue with deputy housing and local government minister Aiman Athirah Sabu for receiving a mock cheque for RM3 million bearing Tiger Beer’s logo at a fundraiser for SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Selangor.

On Monday, the education ministry said it was probing the incident, and reminded schools to adhere to the existing guidelines that prohibit the acceptance of donations generated from activities such as gambling, as well as the sale of tobacco, drugs and alcohol.

Education minister Fadhlina Sidek later said her ministry would not review or grant exemptions for the guidelines on donations given to schools, including for vernacular schools. - FMT