Keppel : donates $300,000 to Digital for Life Fund to help connect seniors affected by COVID-19 pandemic

Keppel Corporation announced today a $300,000 donation to the Digital for Life Fund set up by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Through the donation, Keppel aims to promote digital inclusion and help low-income seniors, many of whom have become more isolated during the pandemic, to be more connected with their communities using digital tools.

The Digital for Life Fund was launched by President Halimah Yacob on 8 February 2021 in conjunction with the launch of President's Challenge 2021. At the IMDA Partners' Appreciation event today at Suntec Hybrid Experience Centre, Mr Loh Chin Hua, CEO of Keppel Corporation, presented Keppel's donation to the fund, which was received by President Halimah, and witnessed by Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information.

Keppel's donation is part of its $4.2 million care package which the company had announced in 2020 to support communities affected by COVID-19. The package comprises voluntary contributions made by directors, management and staff of the Keppel Group, with matching donations from Keppel Corporation.

Keppel's donation to the Digital for Life Fund is expected to benefit more than 2,000 seniors across Singapore. The donation will be used to support initiatives under the Digital for Life movement, and provide fully subsidised smartphones and mobile plans for needy seniors, including those under IMDA's Mobile Access for Seniors (MAS) Scheme, of which M1, a subsidiary of the Keppel Group, is a participant.

Mr Loh Chin Hua, CEO of Keppel Corporation, said, 'During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on group activities have accentuated the social isolation experienced by low-income seniors, many of whom live alone. Providing these seniors with smartphones and fully subsidised mobile data plans would allow social service agencies and community organisations to better engage these seniors and monitor their well-being. The seniors can also more easily maintain contact with their relatives and friends, and brighten their lives through accessing diverse digital content through their smartphones.'

Mr Lew Chuen Hong, Chief Executive, IMDA, said, 'Digital for Life is the national effort for all Singaporeans to move together to the digital future. We are encouraged to see like-minded partners like Keppel stepping up to help seniors and others become digitally ready. We welcome more partners to step forward to work with us, to help all segments of society embrace digital as a lifelong pursuit, and to enrich their lives through digital.'

Beyond Keppel's financial contribution, Keppel Volunteers will also work with IMDA and social service agencies to conduct digital learning programmes for seniors. Through a series of in-person coaching sessions, Keppel Volunteers will guide seniors to access basic smartphone functions, including communications tools and digital contact tracing tools such as TraceTogether and SafeEntry.

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About Keppel Corporation

Keppel Corporation is one of Singapore's flagship multinational companies with a global footprint in more than 20 countries. Keppel provides solutions for sustainable urbanisation, focusing on four key areas comprising energy & environment, urban development, connectivity and asset management. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Keppel harnesses the strengths and expertise of its business units to develop, operate and maintain real assets, which provide diverse solutions that are good for the planet, for people and for the Company.