Wee (bottom row, second left) interacts with Kuek (top row, right) and other members of the federation’s ‘Sarawak Anti-Pandemic Support Fund’committee during the virtual meeting.
KUCHING (July 5): The Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions is eyeing to have at least 5,000 donors to come forward and contribute towards its ‘Sarawak Anti-Pandemic Support Fund’ campaign.
According to federation president Dato Richard Wee, his side has set up a disaster relief team to help the less-fortunate groups such as sick folk, poor families and those who are isolated in the interior parts of Sarawak throughout the current enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
“Under the federation’s fundraising campaign, we emphasise and value more on the number of participants and in this regard, we welcome donations of any amount,” he said during a Zoom meeting with the committee members of the campaign.
Wee said since the launch of the fundraiser, the committee had received over RM98,000 from more than 1,600 donors.
He then called upon all committees and leaders from all levels, including the Youth and Women’s wings, to appeal all members of the federation, volunteer-based organisations and individuals to come together in gathering 5,000 donors, towards showing that the people of Sarawak remained united in the fight against Covid-19.
“We hope that our 5,000-donor target could be reached in within two months, after which we would hand the donations over to the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC),” he said.
During the meeting, Wee also commended the committee for their devotion towards the campaign.
“Although the committee was just established less than two weeks ago, the campaign has already received good response and support not only from within the federation itself, but also from other volunteer groups, private companies and other industry-related bodies,” he said.
Meanwhile, the federation’s vice-president Kuek Eng Mong said the campaign was introduced to appeal to the Chinese community into lending a helping hand to the government during these trying times.
“Any donation is voluntary, regardless of the amount; the objective of the campaign is to show our sincerity towards the government’s effort in battling against Covid-19,” he said.
Kuek said since the pandemic was declared early last year, Sarawak had significantly injected capital and manpower into measures meant to fight Covid-19, especially those related to vaccination.
“Even though the Covid-19 vaccines are provided by the federal government free of charge, the Sarawak government has spent more than RM200 million to cover logistical expenses and provision of manpower to ensure that all Sarawakians would be vaccinated.”
Kuek also appealed to all Good Samaritans out there to contribute to the campaign.
“Maybe our donation is just a drop in the bucket, but it expresses the spirit of unity within our community in the fight against Covid-19,” he added.