The Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund has so
far collected more than three-hundred thousand dollars. The amount, which
included pledges from donors, was raised shortly after the launching of
the humanitarian fund by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
The Relief Fund for the tsunami victims
was launched Monday by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Yang Berhormat
Pehin Dato Doctor Haji Awang Hussin, and the Minister of Religious Affairs,
Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain. Both Ministers
are the Co-Advisors for fund's Committee.
Prior to the launching of the fund, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, in his address said that Brunei also shares the grief of the victims of the disaster which has recently affected some of the neighbouring countries. The formation of fund, Yang Berhormat Pehin said, is to give an opportunity for the rakyat and residents from every level to contribute in anyway they can to help the survivors of the disaster. It was followed with a meeting for members of the Fund Committee, co-chaired by the Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to handle all matters related to the Fund.
Members of the Fund Committee comprised representatives of government and non-government agencies. The committee is responsible in conducting any matters related to the collection of donation from the public in the country. According to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Awang Haji Jemat bin Ampal, the donation should preferably be in the form of cash as the transaction is more flexible. Since the fund was formed less than a week ago, an overwhelming response has been received from members of the public. The donation will be handed over in stages to the tsunami survivors as soon as possible.