Famished childhood inspires Malaysian businessman to give out infant formula
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Mr Klaus Lim dived into charity work when the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020.
PHOTO: KLAUS LIM SUSU BABY CAMPAIGN/FACEBOOK
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JOHOR BAHRU – A Malaysian businessman’s childhood experience with hunger motivated him to provide infant formula to less fortunate children, earning him the affectionate nickname of “Abang Susu” (Brother Milk).
Mr Klaus Lim, 35, said he dived into charity work when the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020, during which many families faced financial difficulties – especially those in the B40 group, who depend on daily wages to feed their children.
The B40 group refers to the bottom 40 per cent of income earners in Malaysia.
“Some were so desperate that they fed their young kids sugar water,” Mr Lim said, recalling that he had even seen a family who fed their children small portions of condensed milk from a can that was “already mouldy and infested with ants”.
“The sight of the struggling families reminded me of my own experience growing up, when I skipped meals as I did not want to burden my parents, who were facing financial constraints. I told myself, I want to help the less fortunate once I have the money.
“The time came during the first movement control order, when people were told to stay at home,” he said in an interview with The Star, referring to the pandemic curbs in Malaysia.
Mr Lim was assisted by a team of about 20 staff and volunteers. They handed out aid, including milk formula and diapers, to the needy of all races in his home town of Batu Pahat in Johor.
“As I am often seen carrying bags of milk formula with me, the children and their parents started calling me ‘Abang Susu’,” he said with a smile, adding that more than 10,000 packs of milk formula have been handed out to those in need so far.
Mr Lim, who carries out the charity work with his 38-year-old brother, said that their efforts have since expanded to cover flood victims in the states of Johor, Selangor and Terengganu.
Businessman Klaus Lim and his team of volunteers and staff handed out aid such as milk formula and diapers to the needy in his home town of Batu Pahat in Johor.
PHOTO: KLAUS LIM SUSU BABY CAMPAIGN/FACEBOOK
In addition, they help poor families with utility bills and those suffering from chronic diseases. Recently, they also helped a woman whose husband had threatened to sell her baby after she gave birth.
“The woman was working in Kuala Lumpur and sought shelter at a friend’s house in Johor after being threatened by her husband,” Mr Lim said.
“We found her a safe place to stay and raised funds to help her with her hospital bills until she gave birth to a healthy baby.”
Mr Lim has formed a non-governmental organisation called Pertubuhan Kebajikan Sinar Harapan Batu Pahat – which can be translated as Batu Pahat Ray of Hope Welfare Organisation – with the aim of helping more people. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
