KUCHING, March 29: The Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions has set up a collection centre for the public who wished to donate medical supplies to help frontliners combating Covid-19.
Its president Datuk Richard Wee said those interested to send medical supplies and equipment, as well as food, can contact the federation at 016-8559581 or 012-8817778 to make arrangement.
The collection centre will be open from 9am till 4pm on Monday to Saturday, while the opening hours on Sunday is between 10am and 2pm.
“The federation has set up an ‘Emergency Disaster Response Committee’ to initiate fundraising drive and activities to extend support for frontline medical staff at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
“The support comes in the form of face masks, protective clothing, protective shoes, hats and other medical supplies, which are in urgent need,” he said in a statement.
He added that food and other daily essentials were also provided along with other necessities.
“After nearly two weeks into the operation, we have also received numerous queries from the public asking for daily food supplies. The federation was in favour of extending such assistance to the public.
“However, after receiving instruction from the Sarawak Welfare Department, the federation decided to follow government directive to transfer these necessities and supplies to the Welfare Department, where it will be consolidated for their respective distribution,” he said.
Wee said the state Welfare Department is situated at Jalan Siol Kanan, Petra Jaya, Kuching. The department can be reached at 082-449577 or 082-444139.
“We would like to clarify here that the face masks collected and received by the federation through donation are solely allocated and prioritised to be distributed to the frontline medical staff and not to be sold to the public.
“Enthusiastic corporate organisations, businesses and individuals who wish to donate funds to the ‘Emergency Disaster Response Committee’ set under the federation may directly remit the funds to federation’s bank account,” he said.
Wee added that the federation did not entrust any person, company or organisation to raise funds and donations on its behalf from the general public.
“During this trying period, I would like to take this opportunity to urge the public to be cautiously careful not to fall into the trap of certain people with bad intention, and ended up making financial losses on the wrong platform,” Wee said.
For details of the federation’s bank account, donors can contact 016-00206296. — DayakDaily
