KUALA TERENGGANU: In just two months, Terengganu has collected RM2.2 million to aid desperate Rohingya refugees who fled ethnic violence in Myanmar and are now living in squalid camps in Bangladesh.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said cash contributions to the Tabung Rohingya Terengganu (Terengganu Fund for Rohingya) will be channelled to the hundreds of thousands of refugees for their basic needs, such as food and water rations.
“We will forward the amount collected since last month to the Rohingya who are camped in 68 cramped relief centres at Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.
“This is our caring and humanitarian way to reduce the burden and suffering of the oppressed lot, who have lost their homes, property and families,” Razif said at the ‘Malam Terengganu Untuk Rohingya: Sekampit Beras Untuk Rohingya' at the State Stadium in Batu Burok.
Razif added that he and Terengganu Youth, Sports and Human Resources committee chairman Datuk Rozi Mamat, who is also the Rohingya secretariat’s volunteer chief, will travel to Cox’s Bazar soon to oversee the fund and rations distribution.
“We want to see for ourselves the real situation there and find out how else we can assist the victims.
“We are eagerly awaiting the greenlight from Wisma Putra to facilitate our safe journey there and return home safely. This is in view of security threats, as we will be accompanied by a large contingent of volunteers,” said Razif, who read a poem entitled ‘'Mereka Yang Ku Lihat Asing Di Tanah Sendiri' at the gathering of over 5,000 people.
Indonesian artiste Opick was also present to entertain guests at the stadium.
Razif said they will consult other volunteer missions such as Mercy Malaysia for feedback and views on carrying out their mission in Cox’s Bazaar.
He called on the public, including those in other states, to continue to demonstrate their generosity for the Tabung Rohingya Terengganu, until they leave for Bangladesh.