BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

MEMBERS of Persatuan Kereta Tahan Lasak Brunei (PKTLB) are joining hands with fellow 4x4 member associations in Sabah and Sarawak to collect donated clothes from the public for victims affected by the recent earthquake in Ranau, Kota Kinabalu.

The PKTLB began collecting used clothes from the public and their friends yesterday and managed to pack them into several boxes which are now on their way to Lawas.

PKTLB member Zarina Jahali said a member of the 4x4 association in Miri who resides in Brunei initiated this project. “That was when PKTLB decided to jump on the bandwagon and help collect from Brunei as well,” said Zarina.

“Tomorrow, one of our members will be driving down to Lawas to deliver the boxes of clothing. The 4x4 team in Lawas will then load the boxes to their vehicles and move on to Sipitang and on to Ranau,’’ she added.

On Saturday, the member of the 4x4 association in Miri will stop en route in Brunei and collect the rest of the donated clothing they could gather throughout the week.

“This is part of our association’s vision and mission. Eventhough we are a 4x4 sports group, we also carry out charity projects by volunteering and helping those in need,’’ she said.

Zarina added, “It is kind of sad to hear what happened there in Sabah, and that some people are now homeless or are at temporary shelters. They lost everything. Since it is Ramadhan now, it is nice to be able to help them out and make them a little happier.’’

Abidin Hj Musa, another member of PKTLB, said their aim is to reach out to those who need help, especially because they are able to take their vehicles out anywhere, anytime and everywhere.

“As an association and an NGO, we hope as much as possible not to just help the government alone, but those outside of Brunei as well who need help. There are some parts in Ranau which ordinary cars cannot access, so we want to be able to help them,’’ he said.

Abidin said the group is always in contact with its 4x4 counterparts in Sabah and Tawau, among others, who asked for help for those in Ranau.

“We have around 300 members in our association and that is a huge number. So it is good for us to help by gathering and donating clothing because it is very cold in Ranau, and we were told the victims of the earthquake really need clothing immediately,’’ he said.

Abidin said he is very proud of being a Bruneian as so many locals were forthcoming in donating their clothing for the victims when they heard of the association’s cause.

He said although the association is collecting clothing for the time being, if the victims need help in other areas to rebuild their lives, the association will continue helping them within its capability.

“At the end of the day, it is about togetherness and reaching out to the community,’’ added Abidin.

Previously, the group drove down to Limbang to help victims who were affected by floods.

The Brunei Times