| James Kon |
MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sports, Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin yesterday announced that assistance would be provided in phases to the earthquake victims of Central Sulawesi.
The minister made the announcement during a presentation of monetary contributions to the Sulawesi Disaster Humanitarian Fund, by prominent members of the local Chinese community.
“We will not wait until the end of the three-month period for the Sulawesi Disaster Humanitarian Fund, to provide assistance,” he said. “The plan is to provide assistance in phases.
“Our assistance will be provided right away, by giving what is needed by the people of Sulawesi. Currently, they require temporary shelters and drinking water, which will be immediately dispatched, without having to wait for the fund’s closing date.”
The main contributors from the local Chinese community were led by Legislative Council (LegCo) Member Yang Berhormat Ong Tiong Oh and other members of the LegCo as well as Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin.
Other donors included the President of Chinese Chamber of Commerce Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) Malcom Lim; and new Chairman of the organising committee for the Chinese New Year get-together Dato Ting Jack Chai.
Their contributions to the Sulawesi Disaster Humanitarian Fund totalled BND15,730.
As the Co-Advisor of the National Committee for the Sulawesi Disaster Humanitarian Fund, the minister personally thanked each of the donors by saying, “Xièxiè!” in Mandarin.
Among those present were Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil; and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari.
Earlier, in a separate ceremony, the Sulawesi Disaster Humanitarian Fund received a contribution of BND1,180 from the Brunei History Association (PESEBAR).
Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan received the donation from President of PESEBAR Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Dr Haji Awang Yahya bin Haji Ibrahim.
Also in attendance were members of the PESEBAR Committee Haji Mohd Yusop bin Haji Damit, Dr Haji Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong and Hanafi bin Salleh.
The ceremony ended with the minister thanking PESEBAR for the contribution.