BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Community Development Department (JAPEM) launched its annual SMS Brunei Prihatin for the National Orphan’s Fund yesterday, which allows the public to make charity through text message donations.

DST and Progresif Cellular mobile users can donate funds by sending a text message “YATIM” followed either with 1, 5, 10, 15 or 20 to 38111. “YATIM20” means a donation of $20.

The public can make mobile donations from June 11 to 25, according to the department’s statement.

In a brief interview with The Brunei Times, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah encouraged the public to donate funds as part of their civic duty.

“I hope for more generous people to donate. The act of giving and providing public welfare is part of ibadah (worship), which is highly encouraged in Islam,” said the MCYS minister.

The project managed to collect more than $183,000 during its first year in 2005, according to the department’s statement.

The project collected $116,000 last year, which was held from July 7 until August 20, said the statement.

The annual charity project had its lowest fund collection in 2011 at $67,027, added the statement.

The project is organised by JAPEM, Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB), DST and Progresif Cellular.

Also in attendance during the event was MCYS Deputy Minister Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman.

The Brunei Times