Sikhs unite in aid effort

MUAR: United Sikhs, a worldwide non-governmental organisation, has donated several truckloads of food and hygiene kits to flood victims at relief centres here. 

The group, led by regional director Rishiwant Singh and its local director of operations Bhagwan Singh, presented the aid to Muar Welfare Department officer Kamaruddin Karim yesterday. 

WORTHY CAUSE: Bhagwan Singh (left), Rishiwant Sigh and Harwant Singh (right) presenting the foodstuff and hygiene kits to Kamaruddin in Muar, Johor, yesterday.

The items that included food, milk for babies, toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap bars, were later sent to Durian Chondong in Bukit Serampang.
Rishiwant Singh said the organisation, with headquarters in New York and England, decided to pool its resources after the news of thousands of people being evacuated in Johor last week. 
“When the floods hit the state, we made some calls to our members, including those overseas, and managed to pool some funds to help the flood victims in Johor,” he said after presenting the aid to Kamaruddin yesterday. 
“We have sent supplies to Pagoh, Lenga as well as Bukit Kepong and yesterday one truckload of supplies went to the Welfare Department here for victims in Durian Chondong.” 
Rishiwant Singh said besides Muar, the organisation also sent emergency supplies, including hygiene kits, to Kota Tinggi and Mersing through Mercy Malaysia yesterday. 
He said United Sikhs started helping victims of natural disasters shortly after the 2004 tsunami where scores of members were part of the aid effort in Aceh and Sri Lanka.  
Besides charity work the organisation was also active in helping underprivileged, minority communities and individuals.  
His younger brother Harwant Singh, a second-year medical student at Bandung University, Indonesia, sacrificed his year-end holiday to help the flood victims. 
“I thought I could spend some time with my family in Muar during the holiday but decided instead to help flood victims here. 
“I feel great to be able to help villagers affected by the floods,” he said