The ‘Sabah Earthquake Fund’ was set up in June 2015 for the dependents of Singaporeans who lost their lives, as well as the trainers and guides in Sabah who lost their lives or had their livelihoods affected by the earthquake on 5 June 2015. During the collection period from 23 June to 31 August 2015, individual and corporate well-wishers generously contributed to the Fund, which raised a total amount of S$982,000.
 

Disbursement of Fund

A Committee comprising representatives appointed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Temasek Foundation managed the manner in which the donations were allocated or used for beneficiaries specified by the donors. Donations with no specific beneficiaries were allocated based on the needs of the families by the Committee in its absolute discretion.

Singapore investment company Temasek matched all donations from its staff dollar-for-dollar. In addition, Temasek staff volunteers helped to structure the donations into insurance policies for dependents of the families of the late Mr Mohammad Ghazi Bin Mohamed, Mr Terrence Loo and Mr Muhammad Daanish Bin Amran to provide dependents with sustainable financial support. The policies will provide yearly payouts, with a lump sum payout upon maturity for their future needs.

S$100,000 in donations will be disbursed equally between the Mountain Torq trainers and Sabah mountain guides. S$50,000 will be given to Mountain Torq Sdn Bhd, the operator of the Via Ferrata on Mount Kinabalu, to support its trainers and staff. The recipients include the five trainers (including the late Mr Valerian Joannes and Mr Ricky Masirin through their families) who accompanied students from Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS) on Mount Kinabalu. The remaining S$50,000 will be channelled to the ‘Mount Kinabalu Earthquake Disaster Fund’ launched by Sabah Parks. The Mount Kinabalu Earthquake Disaster Fund will support the Sabah guides whose livelihoods have been affected by the earthquake, as well as those who, directly or indirectly, assisted in the safe evacuation of the TKPS students in the aftermath of the earthquake. The cheque presentation to Sabah Parks and Mountain Torq Sdn Bhd will take place at a Thank You Reception in Sabah in early 2016.

The distribution of the Fund will be made progressively over the next few months, after which the Sabah Earthquake Fund will be closed and audited.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms Charlotte Chen
Senior Officer, Media Relations
Communications Division
Ministry of Education
Tel: 6879 7670 (O) / 9829 9304 (HP)
Charlotte_CHEN@moe.gov.sg

Mr Aedan Lai
Senior Associate, Strategic & Public Affairs
Temasek
DID: 6828 2465
aedanlai@temasek.com.sg

About Temasek

Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is an investment company based in Singapore. Supported by 10 offices globally, Temasek owns a S$266 billion portfolio as at 31 March 2015, mainly in Singapore and Asia.

We practise our commitment as a responsible corporate citizen and steward by supporting efforts that build people and communities through education, healthcare and research; build bridges between peoples through deeper understanding and friendship; build better governance through a culture of integrity and excellence; and rebuild lives and livelihoods devastated by major natural disasters.

Since our inception in 1974, we have established 16 endowments, aimed at building people, building communities, building capabilities and rebuilding lives, in Singapore and Asia. Our endowments and philanthropic entities touched the lives of more than 240,000 people.

About Temasek Foundation, Singapore

Temasek Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic organisation anchored in Singapore that seeks to contribute to sustainable growth and a bright future of hope and opportunities for people in Asia. The foundation works with partners to support programmes that build people through health care and education, programmes that build bridges between peoples, programmes that build institutions of excellence through governance and ethics, and programmes that rebuild lives and livelihoods affected by natural disasters.

For more information, visit www.temasekfoundation.org.sg.