Liew (seated at centre), flanked by Dr Jamili (on her left) and Goh, with other members of the special committee.
KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment has formed a special committee in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the State to raise funds for the victims of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in China.
Its minister, Datuk Christina Liew, said the special committee is co-chaired by herself and the president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), Tan Sri T.C. Goh.
“The move is an initiative of the State Government as a goodwill gesture as we have always enjoyed a cordial relationship with China via the China Consulate Office in Kota Kinabalu. In times of trouble like this (2019-nCoV outbreak), we extend our support to the victims and pray that the viral epidemic will be a thing of the past soon.
“We will hold a fund-raising dinner dubbed ‘We Care’ Charity Dinner on Feb 17 at the Sabah Hakka Hall,” she said in a statement issued here, after chairing a meeting of the special committee on Monday. The meeting was attended by Goh, chairman of the Kota Kinabalu Hokkien Association, Datuk Clement Yeh, chairman of the Sabah-China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), Datuk Frankie Liew and president of the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK), Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen. Liew, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), which also sits on the special committee, will work out the programme for the charity dinner.
“Stakeholders in the hospitality industry are invited to participate in the charity dinner,” she added.
Also present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr Jamili Nais, Deputy Permanent Secretary Hjh Mariam Omar Matusin, Director of Sabah Parks, Maklarin Lakim, STB General Manager Noredah Othman, Deputy General Manager Kevin Chin and Sabah Sri Pelancongan General Manager Zachary Mobijohn.