BY Rokiah Mahmud & James Kon
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) through the Community Development Department (JAPEM), in collaboration with the Brunei-Muara District Office under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), conducted a drive-through presentation of donations to orphans nationwide yesterday.
The presentation of donations was held at three locations in the Brunei-Muara District – the Bridex Hall in Jerudong, the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas, and the Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Mentiri National Housing Scheme.
The presentation of donations continues today (14.04.2022) in the other districts of the Sultanate.
The donation is aimed at easing the burden of the recipients in preparation for the upcoming Hari Raya festivities.
The ceremony at the Plenary Hall of the ICC, Berakas saw the presentation of donations by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.
Permanent Secretary (Community and Culture) at the MCYS Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari, and Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BIBD Hajah Noraini binti Haji Sulaiman also attended, along with MCYS and BIBD senior officers.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, BIBD is dedicated to supporting the Bruneian government and the country’s initiatives in helping communities to develop and move forward towards achieving the Brunei Vision 2035,” said Hajah Noraini, according to a BIBD press release.
The ceremony was also joined by Brunei-Muara District Officer Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim; BIBD Managing Director of Strategic Development Capital Junaidi bin Haji Masri in his capacity as representative of the Chairman of BIBD Board of Directors; and Acting Managing Director of Brunei Investment Agency Haji Sofian bin Mohammad Jani.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary (Administration, Finance and Estate) at the MCYS Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud presented the donations at Bridex Hall in Jerudong, along with BIBD Acting Chief Operating Officer Haji Minorhadi bin Haji Mirhassan and Chief Marketing Officer Hajah Nurul Akmar binti Haji Md Jaafar.
The ceremony at the Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque, saw Permanent Secretary (Strategy and Policy Management) at the MCYS Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan handing over the donations.
A total of 3,999 orphans registered under JAPEM are scheduled to receive the donations this year. Out of this, 2,580 are registered in the Brunei-Muara District, 611 in the Tutong District, 619 in the Belait District and 189 in the Temburong District.
The donation funds were contributed by JAPEM via the Orphans Fund at BND199,950, Brunei-Muara District Office at BND79,980, and BIBD at BND199,950.
The amount distributed among orphans is subject to the amount of contributions received from the public fund through donation collection campaign conducted via SMS Brunei Prihatin for Orphans Fund 2021 amounting BND220, 619.
Those wishing to make contributions in the form of cash to the Orphans Fund can visit the Management and Administration Division under JAPEM at Jalan Kebangsaan, Kampong Pulaie or via SMS Brunei Prihatin for Orphans Fund that continues until July 1.
For the SMS Brunei Prihatin, type YATIM (without space) followed by the amount to be donated – 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50 or 100 such as YATIM20 (for donations amounting to BND20) and send to 38111 for DST and Progresif subscribers or 39999 for imagine subscribers. The public can also donate to the Orphans Fund via BIBD Online or account number 0000-101-004-9034 under the account name ‘Tabung Anak-Anak Yatim’.
The ceremony is extended today at the ICC while also being simultaneously held in all districts at Pusat Insani, Seria; Tutong Sports Complex; and Pekan Bangar Community Hall Complex’s Main Hall.
For inquiries, the public can contact the Family, Women and Children Division under JAPEM at 2380704 during office hours, or welfare hotline at 141 or Talian ANAK at 121.
-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin