Malaysia’s largest prescription pharmacy chain, Alpro Pharmacy, bagged the Malaysian Business of the Year awards and platinum awards for the Best in CSR and Best in Customer Service during the SOBA 2021 Gala Night held recently at One World Hotel.

The pinnacle award for SOBA, the Malaysian Business of the Year Award, is bestowed to local enterprises that contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth and the sector’s vital role in nation building.

In the meantime, the Best in Customer Service Award to the local enterprise that excels in providing exemplary service to their customers with the overall best customer service practices and customer service program, and the Best in CSR Award is given to local enterprise that is not only strong in corporate social responsibility but apportions part of its profits and other resources to serve the needs of the community.

Mr Lee Yin Chen, Branding, Promotion and Trade Marketing Director & E-Commerce Lead, said, “We are delighted to have been recognised for these awards. It would not have been possible without all the hard work and effort from all Alproeans, our ever-supportive consumers and business partners.”

“The past two years have been a challenging one for those of us in the retail business; while we managed to pivot online through our e-pharmacy, we always have the welfare of the communities in our hearts. Being awarded the Best in CSR is a testament to our continuous efforts through our charity arm, Alpro Foundation, where initiatives such as the Metabolic Basic Sponsorship Program, Save2Safe campaign, autism fundraiser project and more recently, ProjectBangku have positively influenced the lives of many,” said Alpro Foundation Chief Executive Officer Ostwin Paw.

ProjectBangku is Alpro’s latest environmental sustainability initiative where used wooden pallets are upcycled into benches, bangku in Malay. These benches will be placed outside Alpro Pharmacy outlets nationwide as well as places such as public schools, NGO sites and other community areas. In light of the endemic situation where social distancing within closed spaces is still in play, Alpro hopes the initiative can bring convenience to its consumers. By extending the benches to schools and old folks’ homes, the brand aims to widen the outreach and create awareness of environmental sustainability among Malaysians.

Currently, 12 local councils across five states – Kelantan, Melaka, Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, have given the green lights for Alpro Pharmacy to place these benches at their outlets.

A public petition has been started with the aim of having more local councils nationwide to grant approval for the placement of the benches in specific community areas.

Wooden pallets are available to the public for collection from Alpro Pharmacy’s warehouse in Sri Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan. A step-by-step guide to turn an unused palette into a wooden bench is available here.

To learn more about ProjectBangku and to support the cause, sign the petition at https://chng.it/4f6PDNYGpN