MRC Sibu Chapter chairman Chua (sixth left) with Hamid (fifth left), John (seventh left) and the others after the 51st AGM of Malaysian Red Crescent Sibu Chapter.
SIBU: The Malaysian Red Crescent Sibu Chapter is making an earnest appeal to the Ministry of Welfare, Women and Family Development for permission for its youth members to carry out fund-raising activities in public.
The chairman of Malaysian Red Crescent Sibu Chapter, Chua Hiong Kee, in making the appeal, stressed that their youth members which comprise more than 90 per cent of its members, are going to face grave financial difficulty maybe to the extent of closing down the chapter.
“This is because as we do not receive any grant from the government for our Malaysian Red Crescent Sibu Chapter, hence our annual operating expenses depend heavily on public donations.
“However, it is really sad to learn that our State Ministry of Welfare, Women and Family Development has forbidden us from mobilising our youth members under the age of 18 from all fund-raising activities in public,” he pointed out.
He was speaking at the 51st annual general meeting of the Malaysian Red Crescent Sibu Chapter held here recently.
The vice-chairmen of Malaysian Red Crescent Sibu Chapter, Temenggong Datuk Wan Hamid Edruce, and John Wong were also present.
On another note, Chua expressed thanks and appreciation to the generous public for being supportive throughout the years.
“Our sporting and caring public members have greatly helped make sure that we always raise sufficient funds for our humanitarian services, training programmes, maintenance and many more through our fund-raising projects,” he said.
Chua added that after 50 years of service, they should not be complacent.
“Let us evaluate what we are doing as a group and see how we can become better. Ask ourselves who we are and why we exist.
“Together let us re-dedicate ourselves, deepen our involvement to serve as a volunteer and be true, effective and efficient Red Crescent members,” he said.