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Red Crescent /Red Cross Societies are the members of the
league of the Red Cross Societies. ( The Red Lion & Sun was
the only used by Iran but changed to Red Crescent in 1980).
Although they use different symbols yet they all aim to
alleviate human beings.
The Malaysian Red Crescent
Society, Sibu District was at first known as British Red
Cross Society, Sibu District during the colonial time and as
the Malaysian Red Cross Society, Sibu District when we first
gained independence through Malaysia.
Having experienced the emergency and
flood in December, 1962 and January, 1963 respectively, it
was felt that the formation of a Red Cross Society in Sibu
was desirable, not only to cope with the situation but also
to provide training in first aid so as to supply first aid
units, on public functions for example.
Consequently, a meeting was held in the
Foochow Association, Sibu on Tuesday, 12th March, 1963 to
inaugurate the formation of the Sibu Division of the Sarawak
Branch of the British Red Cross Society, the meeting was
chaired by the Acting Resident, Mr. Peter Scanlon.
During the meeting the following
Office-Bearers were elected:-
President - Mt. Ting Ming Hoi; Chairman -
Mr. Wong Soon Kai; Director - Mrs. A.F.R. Griffin; Hon.
Secretary - Mr. Ling Kee Choo; Hon. Treasurer - Mr. Chin
Ting Ming; Nursing Superintendent - Mrs. Hacking; Div.
Medical Officer - Dr. Wong Mook Foo; Quartermaster - Mr.
Kang Thian Choo; Committee Members - Tun Datuk Tuanku Haji
Bujang (H.E. the 2nd Governor of Sarawak) and Mr. Banggau ak
Renang.
Since the formation of Malaysia, our
Society here become part of the Malaysian Red Cross Society.
In response to an appeal made by our
Chairman, Dr. Wong Soon Kai, on 15.5.63 one hundred and
eighty-eight persons in Sibu became our Society's Associate
Members. Fifty- ladies enrolled as VADS.
Initially meetings of our Society were
held at places such as the Sibu Youth Club, the Foochow
Association and S.U.D.C. Chamber, and lectures for our VADs
had to be held in the lecture room of Lau King Hwe hospital.
On 1st September, 1963 our Socirty rented
a residential house at Journey's End(present Hockey Road) at
a rental of $50/- per mensem. It was only then our Society
had a fixed place for meeting and other functions.
Thank to the assistance of the State
Government and the generous donations of Sibu people, our
Society's Headquarters - a wooden building - situated at
Race Course Road was finally completed towards the end of
1965 at a cost $30,000/-
To Supplement the ambulance services
provided by the Medical Department, our Society acquired a
used Vokeswagon van in 1966 at a cost of $2500. To further
improve this service, a Vokeswagon ambulance was
purchased on 1st May 1969 at a cost of $9537.50. Since then
our ambulance service has been vital to the community.
The recruiting of volunteer blood donors
to keep a constant supply of blood in the hospital for
emergency uses has always been a problem. To help solve this
difficulty our Society had on 4th June, 1968 employed a
Blood Officer. Besides giving talks, mass blood donation
demonstration, the seminar on Public Awareness in Blood
donation was organised by our Society from 15th Oct. to 16th
Oct. 1983. This further motivated the Sibu public on the
importance of blood donation.
On relief side it has always been the practice of
our Society to supply used clothing, blankets, mosquito nets
etc to fire and flood victims. Since 1970, our Society has
allocated $2000/- annually for purchased of powdered milk
for distribution to the needy through the corporation and
assistance of the Government Welfare Staff. This project
stopped after a few years.
Our VAD members experienced for the first tome in giving
assistance in flood relief during the recent big flood at
the end of Dec., 1983.
In order to cater for any disaster which may happen
anytime, a disaster Relief Unit was formed with mobile
kitchen and a group of trained members to handle this task.
This was further strengthened after the Central Zone
Disaster Preparedness/ Emergency Training Course from 29th
July to 1st August , 1982.
In order to train and cater the increasing members,
course on leadership training, and Instructor course were
constantly organised. Some members were sent overseas to
receive special training. At the same time, we started the
planning to put up a bigger building to serve our
requirement. This new headquarters building was officially
declared open by TYT Yang Dipertua Negeri, Sarawak on 16th
December, 1981.
Our Youth members and VAD members have always been called
to provide first aid services in public function, such as
sports meet, swimming gala etc. These services have been
highly valued by the general public.
At present, all our Society's running expenses are
derived from donations by the public spirited people of Sibu;
sale of flags and car stickers during World Red Cross Day;
film premiere; concert and jumble sale etc. Thank to the
generosity of Sibu people, our Society has been able to
function on since its inspection, without much financial
difficulties.
We greatly appreciated the assistance and co-operation of
all the school Principals concerned for establishing Youth
Units in their schools. The future of our Society will
undoubtedly further be ensured with the joining of these
promising and energetic youths.
Our Society's achievements in the past years owe great
deal to the leadership to our Chairman, YB Datuk Dr. Wong
Soon Kai, to the public spirited people of Sibu who have
been most willing to assist us in kind, and valuable
services, and to the co-operation and hard work of all our
members.
By Mr. Hii Sieh Toh.
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