SIBU: The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sibu Branch has come in for praise for its tireless work in the community here.
It has contributed and undeniably impacted people’s lives here, said Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, Michael Tiang.
“I guess I can say that MRCS Sibu is one of the great examples of how every effort and commitment goes a long way,” he said during the MRCS World Blood Donor Day Cum Recognition yesterday (July 16).
In a speech read by councillor Ling Hua Wee he pointed out that during difficult moments such as the Covid-19 pandemic, MRCS stepped up and helped the government and the people.“I was made to understand that the MRCS Sibu branch was very much involved in assisting with the vaccination programme at the Sibu Hospital last year.
“At the same time, you provided hand sanitiser to all the hawkers at the Central Market, the food vendors, various associations, and places of worship,” he said.
Tiang noted that MRCS also ensured that there were blood donation drives to ensure enough blood supplies at the blood bank.
“Despite the MCO, you still found a way to reach out to the community, encouraging them to stay safe and healthy and promoting the importance of working together to get out of the pandemic as soon as possible.
“Such efforts eased the burden of the authority, and you showed us what it means to live as a community,” he said.
Tiang said that during such challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic, one cannot shift all the responsibilities on government agencies, police, military or hospitals.
“We are part of the community we live in. So, we need to offer ourselves to look up to each other.
After all, a better world requires the efforts of everybody, not just the government. Red Crescent sets an example that inspires us, those common efforts can do wonders,” he said.
Tiang also expressed his gratitude to all MRCS members for their contribution as frontliners during the pandemic and urged the community especially people in Sibu to work together.
“We are not a ‘customer’ in our community to be served. Sibu is our home, and we should be ready in many ways to make it a better place and a safer home for us and our children,” he said.
