RAMZI sounded anxious and impatient. The attack by the Sulu terrorists on the Malay-sian state of Sabah had caught most people by surprise. Most were angry and felt violated.
The attack claimed the lives of 10 Malaysian soldiers and policemen. Scores of Sulu terrorists were also killed and more have surrendered.
So, on his own initiative, Ramzi started to raise funds for our fallen heroes in Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu and Semporna. In the last couple of weeks, corporations and individuals have come forward with their contributions.
Ramzi gathered his friends, customers and associates. In less than a week, he collected some RM20,000 which he deposited into the Tabung Wira Lahad Datu Media Prima. The handover was at a simple ceremony at Ramzi's kopitiam, Killiney's, at the Amoda Building in Bukit Bintang.
As if the killing of our security personnel wasn't enough, there are also individuals who go around belittling the efforts of our policemen and soldiers.
Not to mention certain politicians who make irresponsible and mischievous statements that the terrorist attack was orchestrated by the government.
Also at the Killiney's Kopitiam was our kapcai solo rider, Hadi Hussein, who had gathered at the kopitiam with fellow bikers for breakfast. The bikers passed the hat around and they collected almost RM400 that was duly deposited into the same fund.
You may recall that Hadi rode his kapcai from Kuala Lumpur to London three years ago and then made a solo ride following the equator crisscrossing Malaysia and Indonesia earlier this year.
This country is never short of generous individuals who will contribute cash to a worthy cause. In a space of less than two weeks, we have collected almost RM1.5 million from generous Malaysians in support of the grieving families of our fallen heroes.
The story is also told of pupil Chong Jin Hui who diverted her savings of RM180 for a class excursion to the Tabung. This is not a big amount but it certainly reflected the young lass' big heart where helping others are concerned.
Ramzi's way of raising funds was based on the daily revenue at 20 of his kopitiam outlets. A small percentage of the daily sales was set aside for the Tabung. The company added some money which led to the RM20,000 donation.
Our national carrier, MAS, is also allocating a small percentage of its ticket sales to Tabung Wira Lahad Datu. Its group chief executive officer, Datuk Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, over coffee, told me this would be the airline's contribution to the families and survivors of the soldiers and policemen who gave their lives so that others may live.
The big givers have their photographs published in the newspapers. But the small, individual donors are just as important. Collectively, they have contributed more than half a million ringgit to the Tabung.
They did this by depositing the cash straight into the Tabung's account at Maybank via account number 5142-7133-9000.
Another way of raising funds for our heroes will be announced next week. At this point, we must all rally behind our security personnel.
And don't forget to raise the flag as well. Watch out for the new initiative in support of our fallen heroes next week.
Ahmad A Talib
No comments:
Post a Comment