COLLECT EARLY, PAY LATE - TSUNAMI FUND

TSUNAMI FUND

The NST/Berita Harian/TV3/8TV group which set up a fund called the Malaysian Tsunami Disaster Fund had collected RM29.6 million has channeled the money to the National Disaster Relief Fund.

The Star Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund have collected RM14.3mil and the money was handed over to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (RM6,820,481.05), Mercy Malaysia (RM5,355,649.17) and the National Disaster Relief Fund (RM2,132,389.53).

Maybank Tsunami Relief Fund total stands at RM1,934,700.30.

Scores of many other organizations and individuals have also collected donations to help out those victims of the Killer Waves.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee headed by DPM Najib Abdul Razak has announced that RM20,000 will be paid to the next-of-kin of each victim. With 68 Malaysians died in the homeland, that amounted to RM1.36 million.

The DPM also said the government has to date provided aid to the living, amounting to RM7.7 million. So the total handed out should be RM9 million.

So what are we doing with the RM30 million collected?

According to Datuk Muhamad Muda, the Crisis and Disaster Directorate director, he said the government had no intention to disburse the funds raied for the National Disaster Fund for relief work in other countries outside of Malaysia. He said contributions to the fund was meant to be used locally, while there were other funds whereby contributions would be channelled to affected regions such as Aceh and Sri Lanka.

In essence, donations are meant to serve all who are affected by the disaster and are in grave needs. None of the monies should be channeled to any other activities such as setting aside some of the funds for investing into setting up of a buoys-and-sensors system with a satellite link to detect tsunamis. Any tsunami-related system projects should be government funded, and not from the donations collected.

The funny things about Malaysian authorities and the officers are, when they are in control of money, particularly that which belongs to others, they act like god and make those begger-begging for aid. It wasn't a question of just accountability or transparency if you look at the system as a whole - these two words - accountability and transparency - are mere excuses for their slow and lazy actions, egoistic behavior, beg-me-if-you-want-help attitude, and bossy attitudes; plus, the publicity staunt.

If they believe in GOD, they should know that they are fully accountable and answerable to HIM. May GOD punish those who failed to serve the people with honesty and integrity, and those who abuse their power. I'm not sure whether HE heard me, but I hope at least Pak-Lah will hear me and act accordingly.