KUALA LUMPUR: Cosmetics and skincare products manufacturer Maystar Beauty Sdn Bhd contributed 6,000 face masks from its Neutrovis brand to the New Straits Times Press Bhd (NSTP) to honour the contributions of media frontliners.
The contributions are part of the 'Mask On, Spread Hope' campaign, which is in collaboration with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
The company distributed a total of 50,000 premium medical face masks to 20 mainstream media organisations in the Klang Valley.
Another 100,000 pieces of premium medical face masks were also donated to seven orphanages and welfare associations under the same campaign.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who launched the campaign on Wednesday, said it was the ministry's mandate to remind the public ahead of Aidilfitri to act responsibly and adhere to the face mask-wearing rule at all times.
He said face masks must be worn at all times by everyone, including workers at shopping malls, retail staff and consumers.
"I hope that our reminders will generate mutual understanding and cooperation amongst our society to put the mask on and spread hope to keep the nation and economy healthy; for only by working together can we curb the pandemic," he said in a statement.
Maystar Beauty Sdn Bhd managing director Zayn Puah said the initiative was a way to give thanks to the media, while also giving back to the community.
"I would like to take this opportunity to also express my gratitude to the press and media. The work you do is essential especially during these trying times, as it keeps the country calm and updated through your news reports.
"We don't know if others might consider you a frontliner, but we at Neutrovis most definitely acknowledge you as our heroes," said Puah in a statement.
He said the 'Mask on, Spread Hope' campaign also aimed to educate the public on the importance of choosing the right face masks and informing the people about the differences between disposable and medical face masks.
"Many people are unaware that disposable masks are only suited for industrial use as it only serves the function of filtering dust particles and cannot prevent the spread of any viruses.
"Medical face masks with high Bacteria Filtration Efficiency (BFE) and Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) readings, on the other hand, is built to prevent the spread of Covid-19 because of its ability to block out any bacteria in the size of 1 to 5 microns and filter out any viable and nonviable particles sized 0.1 to 1 micron," said a statement.
The company claimed Neutrovis' premium face masks has a more than 98 per cent BFE and more than 96 per cent PFE rates; while having Conformitè Europëenne (CE) certification and meeting the EN14683 standards for face masks.
Maystar Beauty business development head, Karyn Koay presented the 6,000 face masks to NSTP respresentatives at Balai Berita here.
The items comprised Neutrovis' festive season range of face masks.
The campaign has also named actor-cum-host Izzue Islam and actress-singer Azira Shafinaz as brand ambassadors of the special range of products.
