Two members of the public carting donations to the collection centre located at Excess Baggage Centre, third floor of the Kuching International Airport.
KUCHING: The public response to the ‘Rakyat Sarawak Prihatin’ (Sarawakians Care) Programme, launched by airport luggage wrapping services company Tehez Consolidators Services to collect donations for flood victims in the peninsula, has been very encouraging.
The company’s manager, Azman Hezri, said the donated items collected so far had reached 500kg in weight.
“I am very touched by the encouraging response from the public, especially those in Kuching city who channelled various items to this programme, which we only promoted yesterday (Saturday).
“Initially, I targeted donations of 50kg minimum for delivery on the first cargo flight, but now since it has reached 500kg, I have arranged for the items to be sent to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow night (tonight) for distribution to the states hit by floods,” he said yesterday.
Azman was met by reporters at the donations collection centre located at Excess Baggage Centre, third floor of the Kuching International Airport.
He also explained that the company does not charge any fee for the delivery of these items for the flood victims across the South China Sea.
He welcomed donations in the forms of items needed by the victims such as used clothing, blanket, dry food and baby napkin.
The donation drive, however, will end tomorrow (Dec 30). Azman explained there were reasons for setting the deadline early.
“This Tuesday (tomorrow) will be the final day for us to collect the donations before we deliver them on the last cargo flight.
“We chose Dec 30 as the final day because we do not want the deadline to be extended. We worry that if we do not send the items by that day, it will be too late.
“Nonetheless, we will still collect donations after Dec 30 and deliver them over, depending on the situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, among those spotted dropping donations off at the collection centre was 51-year-old teacher Tan Pek Huang, who was informed of the donation drive by her school principal via Whatsapp messaging system.
“I am donating used clothing for the victims. I have also informed my students to donate to the flood victims,” he said.
Zainab Sulaiman, also 51, said she was donating food items and baby diapers.
For more information on the programme, the public can contact Azman at 016-6055652, Ali (013-5756275) or Milin (014-2873330).