Press Release

Malaysian AIDS Foundation, the leading non-profit organisation dedicated to HIV treatment, prevention and care for People Living with HIV today announced the appointment of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah as the Co-Chair for the MAF Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO is the Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group, one of Southeast Asia’s leading conglomerates with a 16,000-strong workforce and 13 business divisions across more than 50 locations worldwide. He is also the Founder and Trustee of Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Malaysia’s largest education-focused social enterprise.

An ardent advocate of the sustainable development agenda, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah will lend his visionary leadership to steer MAF towards the path of sustainability.

Together with his fellow Co-Chair, Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, who is also the current Chair of MAF, he will lead a line-up of eminent Malaysian corporate figures to fast-track MAF to become ESG ready and financially robust to charge ahead in its effort to realising the Ending AIDS mission.

“The fight against AIDS has come a long way, but we are far from reaching the goal of ending the epidemic by 2030. Amongst critical measures that need to be taken is to lift the socio-economic barriers that hinder access to HIV treatment, prevention and care services,” remarked Prof Dato’ Dr Adeeba on the challenges that the Sustainability Advisory Committee is attempting to resolve.

“We have come to learn that compliance with the principle of ESG will not only endear ourselves to donors; it will also make us a better organisation and future-proof us against external threats that are beyond our control, like the COVID-19 pandemic that had wreaked havoc on non-profits worldwide, including MAF,” she added.

Speaking on his engagement as the Committee’s Co-Chair, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah remarked:

“HIV/AIDS has been one of the greatest healthcare and developmental challenges of our time, with millions of lives lost globally to the epidemic and countless more living in despair due to stigma and discrimination.

Our belief that no one should be left behind is one of the fundamental reasons why Sunway is deeply committed towards advancing the sustainable development agenda. We have fully embraced the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the United Nations in 2015. That includes a goal to eradicate the AIDS epidemic by 2030. I am delighted to support and build on the good work of MAF who have greatly contributed to this noble cause,” explained Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah on the role and expectations of the Advisory Committee.

The Sustainability Advisory Committee was appointed by the Board of Trustees of MAF in 2022 under a 2-year term. Membership is voluntary and without remuneration. The Committee’s principal role is to provide advisory services and direction to MAF Trustees on matters related to financial sustainability, resource mobilisation and ESG compliance.