KUCHING: The National Welfare Foundation (YKN) has stepped forward to help ease the burden of flood victims in Sarawak with a contribution of RM300,000 to the Sarawak Government.

The donation was presented by Minister of Women, Family and Community Development who is also the Chairwoman of YKN, Dato Sri Nancy Shukri to Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference after the handover ceremony, Dato Sri Nancy said this donation is the result of close collaboration with corporate entities and individuals who are concerned about the welfare of disaster victims.

It serves as a gesture of solidarity and support from YKN to the Sarawak Government and the affected victims.

“This assistance will be channelled directly to the account of SDMC because we believe SDMC is best positioned to manage the funds effectively.

“We understand that this contribution of RM300,000 is not enough if we look at the situation in Bintulu, Miri, and other affected places.

"Therefore, by taking this approach, we are providing the assistance through SDMC as the representative of the Sarawak Government so that they can determine the best way to allocate the funds," she said.

Meanwhile, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said SDMC has so far received RM12.8 million from the Prime Minister's Office and RM10 million from the Sarawak Government, while RM2.45 million was contributed by the private sector including Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS).

Also present were Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration) and Deputy Chairman of SDMC, Datu Buckland Bangik, and YKN Chief Executive Officer, Nordina Haron. -UKASnews