Noble deed: Lim has been providing milk formula to needy families since 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic started.
Famished childhood inspires businessman to give out milk aid
JOHOR BARU: His own experience of starving as a child had motivated a 35-year-old businessman to provide infant formula to less fortunate children, earning him the affectionate nickname “Abang Susu”.
Klaus Lim said he dived into charity work when the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020, where many families faced financial difficulties – especially those in the B40 group who depended on daily wages to feed their children.
“Some were so desperate that they fed their young kids with sugar water. I also came across a family that gave their children condensed milk in small portions where the can was already mouldy and infested with ants.
“The sight of the struggling families reminded me of my own experience growing up where 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 when interviewed.
Lau was assisted by a team of about 20 staff members and volunteers. They handed out aid such as milk formula and diapers to the needy of all races in his hometown Batu Pahat.
“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 had been handed out to those in need so far.
Lim, who does the charity work with his 38-year-old brother, said their efforts had since expanded to cover flood victims in Johor, Selangor and Terengganu.
They also helped poor families with utility bills, those suffering from chronic diseases as well as a recent incident of 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.
“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,” he said.
Lim has formed a non-governmental organisation called Pertubuhan Kebajikan Sinar Harapan Batu Pahat in hopes of reaching out to more people.
