KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched the Myanmar Disaster Fund in Parliament House yesterday to help victims of the cyclone that hit the country.

The prime minister, the first to make a donation, said the fund would assist those affected by cyclone Nargis, which left thousands homeless in its wake.

The fund, managed by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), received RM55,000 at its launch with the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) donating RM25,000, KUB Malaysia Bhd (RM20,000) and Menara KL RM10,000.

Donations also came from Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri and BNBBC deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin.

Several MPs also donated.



Those wishing to donate may send cheques payable to the RTM Myanmar Disaster Relief Fund to Angkasapuri, Jalan Pantai Dalam, 50614, Kuala Lumpur.

They can also donate via SMS by typing DERMA with amounts ranging from a minimum of RM1 to a maximum of RM10.

A donation box has been placed at the Parliament lobby.

HOW TO DONATE

• Cheques payable to RTM Myanmar Disaster Relief Fund
• SMS DERMA