Abang Johari slips a Sabati card into its slot as a launch gimmick for the fund-raising dinner.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is sincere in helping the welfare of its people and thus, pledges to set up more dialysis centres for the needy folk, especially those in the rural areas.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg observes that many people in Sarawak are suffering from kidney problems, but there are some places such as Limbang that do not have dialysis facilities, while in Sibu and Kuching, the number is limited.
He says this has come to his attention through his wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, who wants to set up more dialysis centres for the community.
“So I pledge to help to set up this facility in areas that need it,” he spoke at the ‘Association of Wives of Ministers and Assistant Ministers of Sarawak (Sabati) Charity Dinner’ at a hotel here on Friday.
Abang Johari also hoped that Sabati, headed by Juma’ani, would continue to work together with the Sarawak government in helping the needy members of the community, adding that the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition had been stressing about looking after the welfare of Sarawakians.
This included helping rural fishermen in Mukah and longhouse farmers to transform into modern agriculture, aimed at making Sarawak the most developed state by 2030.
Meanwhile, the charity dinner raised over RM3 million – thanks to the contributions from over 30 donors.
Earlier, Sabati honorary-secretary Datin Dr Zaliha Abdullah said the organisation, which was registered in 1982, had been carrying out many charitable activities to assist the needy folk and other charitable bodies, and also to set up disaster relief funds.
She said its most significant achievement was providing assistance for infants and young children from underprivileged families to receive treatment for their heart conditions; ultimately, Sabati established the Sarawak Heart Foundation and set up of Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan.
Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and his wife Datin Amar Doreen Mayang; Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and wife Puan Sri Corrine Masing; and Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar and wife Dato Fatimah Mohd Iskandar.