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Gunung Capital and other Singapore-based firms help Indonesia secure oxygen supplies
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(Courtesy of Gunung Capital )
A
s Indonesia continues to struggle with an oxygen supply shortage in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, more help is on the way.
Led by the Singapore Chambers of Commerce Indonesia, a number of companies have come together to deliver oxygen cylinders from Singapore to Indonesia.
The first shipment containing 150 cylinders of oxygen and 100 Jumper pulse oximeters have arrived in Jakarta.
This effort combined the resources of various companies that are offering their services free of charge or are helping to secure supplies of oxygen and medical equipment from Singapore and other Asian counties.
The oxygen cylinders will be directly distributed to the Indonesian authorities.
More than 12 companies have so far participated in the effort.
“We are encouraged by the strong support shown by our members to help Indonesia battle the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Shoeb Kagda, chairman of the Singapore Chambers of Commerce Indonesia.
“We have completed the first shipment, but our work is not over as we are continuing to source and secure oxygen and medical equipment from across the region.”
Kagda added that the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Indonesia would continue to coordinate contributions from Singapore-based companies, as well as Indonesian companies, as more shipments were expected to arrive over the next few weeks.
Kelvin Fu, a managing partner of Gunung Capital, a Singapore-based company, said: “We believe in doing business with humanity in mind and having a positive impact on people's lives, community and the environment. We acted quickly when we learned of reports of the shortage in oxygen supplies. This was a ground-up initiative started by a group of committed individuals who saw it as our duty to help our Indonesian friends in need. We will continue to support the relief efforts and welcome additional donors onboard. We rise by lifting others.”
Read also: In Jakarta, COVID-19 patients rent oxygen cylinders
Fu added that Gunung Capital was leveraging its connections in the region to source much-needed relief supplies and welcomed donors who wanted to contribute their resources.
“We are active investors in the infrastructure, building materials and sustainability-linked space. Naturally, our commitment to enhancing environmental, social and governance [ESG] is a critical theme across all our investments and activities. We will continue to support the government and communities’ efforts to combat this pandemic together.”
Valkyn Dmello, a managing partner of AVJ Nusantara Perkasa, added: “This effort […] emphasizes the close friendship between Indonesia and Singapore, as well as the clear need for such strong logistic abilities going forward to mobilize [aid] effectively, be it for emergencies or the economy.”
The shipment of oxygen cylinders and equipment to Jakarta were organized by Ben Line Agencies and Meratus free of charge.
“As a company based in Singapore but with deep respect and involvement with Indonesia and its people, Ben Line Agencies, in partnership with Meratus, are pleased to provide the local logistics work in Singapore, together with the shipping service into Jakarta to facilitate the movement of these much-needed emergency medical supplies,” said Kristian Vandemeer, group managing director of Ben Line Agencies.
Indonesia’s efforts to fight COVID-19 have also received help from individuals who have contributed oxygen supplies, including Dini Sari Djalal, an associate editorial director at the Singapore-based Hinrich Foundation, and Sherin Tan - Save the Children International.
Meanwhile, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said during the handover of the COVID-19 equipment donation in Jakarta on Tuesday: "Of course, we fully support the distribution of COVID-19 medical equipment in the form of 132 oxygen cylinders, 18 empty oxygen cylinders and 100 Jumper pulse oximeters, which were handed over to the National Disaster Management Agency [BNPB]. We hope this assistance can be distributed properly to meet the current and urgent need for medical devices, especially for health workers at the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19 and people who are exposed to COVID-19.
“We believe that this assistance will be very beneficial in our efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia, where the cases are still high enough for level 4 of public activity restrictions [PPKM] to continue until Aug. 16, especially in Java and Bali.”
The Transportation Ministry, he said, would ensure the smooth transportation, including through sea transportation, of COVID-19 medical equipment throughout Indonesia.
“On this occasion, we also want to invite all parties — the government, businesspeople and the community — to jointly provide assistance and support each other to fight COVID-19. Let's fight together and pray that the COVID-19 pandemic can end soon."
