Top Ten Charity Campaign marks RM600 million raised since 1987

Starting as a modest fundraiser nearly four decades ago, Carlsberg Malaysia’s Top Ten Charity Campaign has grown into one of the country’s most enduring and far-reaching education initiatives. This year, the campaign crossed a significant milestone, raising a cumulative RM600 million since its inception in 1987, following RM14.8 million collected in 2024 alone. The achievement reinforces Top Ten’s standing as Malaysia’s longest-running and most impactful Chinese charity fundraising platform, dedicated to strengthening vernacular education nationwide.

Backed by Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) committees, donors, media partners and the wider public, Top Ten has become a unifying platform that channels collective effort into a shared cause: improving access to quality education while preserving Malaysia’s multilingual learning heritage.

Strengthening vernacular education nationwide

Vernacular schools remain a cornerstone of Malaysia’s multicultural education system, yet many continue to rely on public donations to maintain and upgrade their facilities. According to Carlsberg Malaysia Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director Pearl Lai, this reality has shaped the campaign’s long-term purpose.

“Vernacular schools play an essential role in shaping the country’s multicultural education system, providing future leaders with access to quality education. However, many schools often seek public donations to upkeep and upgrade schools’ facilities — a purposeful endeavour that Top Ten has been championing for nearly four decades,” she said.

Over the years, Top Ten has benefited more than 700 primary schools across Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. Contributions have translated into tangible improvements, from basic infrastructure upgrades to more advanced developments such as AI-enabled smart classrooms. Beyond physical enhancements, the campaign has helped safeguard multilingual education by ensuring learning environments remain relevant, safe and conducive for future generations.

Community impact and expanding reach

At the school level, the impact of Top Ten is deeply felt. Datuk Haw Chin Teck, Chairman of SJKC Chung Hwa Sungai Sendok in Johor, which raised the highest donations among participating schools this year, highlighted how the initiative extends beyond financial support.

“The support from Top Ten has made a meaningful difference to our school,” he said. “The proceeds received have enabled us to improve our facilities and create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning. Beyond being a fund-raising platform, what truly stands out is how Top Ten brings the community together with parents, artistes and partners united for a shared belief that our children’s future is a responsibility we all share.”

In Sabah, Permanent Honorary Chairman Mr Tan Cheng Teng noted that Lahad Datu Middle School has hosted the campaign for three consecutive years, raising RM6 million. The funds supported the redevelopment of a single-storey building housing laboratories, offices, a dance studio and a cooking room. “These enhancements have optimised our teaching capabilities and recreational spaces capacity. We are grateful to Carlsberg Malaysia in funding all expenditures of the fund-raising event,” he said.

More recently, the campaign has extended to higher education institutions, including UTAR Hospital, reflecting its broader mission beyond vernacular schools. UTAR President Yang Berbahagia Ir. Professor Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat said Top Ten had played “an instrumental role” in supporting UTAR’s education and healthcare objectives, enabling upgrades to teaching facilities, medical equipment and patient welfare services.

Championing sustainability through education

In tandem with education, sustainability has become a growing pillar of the Top Ten campaign. Through its Go Green initiative, nine schools nationwide have undertaken student-led environmental projects, producing more than 228 litres of eco-enzymes and nearly 538 kilogrammes of eco-bricks.

“We are committed to championing education today for a greener tomorrow by cultivating interest on among the curious minds and encouraging them to get involved today as a step for creating impacts in shaping a greener, better, brighter Malaysia,” Lai said.

The RM600 million milestone underscores Carlsberg Malaysia’s long-standing commitment to community upliftment and sustainability, aligned with its Together Towards ZERO and Beyond programme, as well as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals on quality education and climate action.