KOTA KINABALU: The State government in collaboration with The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) are organising a fundraising dinner in aid of victims of the novel coronavirus epidemic in China.
Themed “China, We Care" the charity dinner will be held on this coming 18 February, at the Port View Palace Hall, Wisma Hakka here, at 7pm. It aims to raise RM1 million from the sales of dinner tables/tickets.
The co-organisers for the event are, The Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SUCCC), The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu’s (USCCAKK), Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (Sabah Branch), Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Sabah (SME Sabah), the Kota Kinabalu Hokkien Association (KKHA), and Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI).
The joint organising chairmen are the deputy Chief Minister cum State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Christina Liew and FCAS president, Tan Sri T.C Goh. Chief Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal will attend and officiate at the event, as the guest-of-honour.
Announcing this on Wednesday, Goh noted that besides showing compassion and care for the victims of the coronavirus epidemic in China, the charity dinner also aims to demonstrate that the long-established bilateral relationship between Sabah and China is not affected by the ongoing temporary ban imposed on China tourists. Sabah was the first in the world to impose temporary ban on flights from China.
“We believe our friends from China will understand that such a move (the ban) was inevitable in order to safeguard the people of Sabah from the novel coronavirus. We shall always welcome them with open arms once the epidemic is over,” he said in a statement issued here.
Goh who is also the President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) noted that the total number of coronavirus cases in China has reached 45,000 cases and the number was still growing. He believed that the demand for essential medical supplies like face masks, surgical gloves etc too will be great.
“We call upon business operators, organisations, and individuals to generously come forward to contribute to such a noble cause of showing our compassion and support to the victims of the novel coronavirus epidemic in China.
“All the proceeds raised from the charity dinner will be handed over to the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia," he urged.
Goh also hoped that the State government would consider making its donation based on RM1 to RM1 ratio.
Those who are keen to contribute could choose from the following categories:
A) Individual sponsorship of RM10,000.00 or above is entitled to 2 complimentary VIP dinner tickets;
B) Company sponsoring RM10,000.00 or above is entitled to 2 complimentary VIP dinner tickets, and the company logo will be printed on T-shirt;
C) Purchase of 10 dinner tickets (1 table) at RM10,000.00;
D) Purchase of 1 dinner ticket at RM1,000.00; or
E) Any amount that one wishes to donate to this fundraising dinner (without the dinner ticket).
Contributions can be made through "Sabah Pay (Payment)" or by crossed cheque payable to GABUNGAN PERSATUAN CINA SABAH (Alliance Bank (M) Berhad, A/C No : 1-003900100-76185). Write “We Care" on the bank-in slip and fax it to FCAS Secretariat at 088-268433 or, WhatsApp it to FCAS officials Ms Grace Chong (016-8062177), Mr Ricky Lee (016-8336978), or Ms Regina Ngu (012-4115534), for record purpose.
