NGO extends food, cash aid for Sabah veteran artists
KOTA KINABALU: The Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Pembangunan Masyarakat Anak Sabah (MAS) and MAS Truckers Club extended food and cash assistance to some of the Sabah veteran artists in need around the city area here yesterday.
Supian Buang said the program, sparked through the MAS and MAS committees and members desire to help the needy group that do not usually have access to government or private assistance in the country and state, is an inaugural initiative taken up by the MAS Truckers.
“We will present the aid from house to house so we can ascertain and see for ourselves the condition of these veteran artists, in terms of their health condition.
“The first house that we will visit is in the Inanam area, to the home of a veteran musician who is paralyzed. After that, we will send the assistance to a dance art practitioner, who is also a veteran in Inanam. If we look at it, dance art practitioners are not often given assistance.
“After that we will go to Kolombong to visit a former general manager of the Sabah State Cultural Board, who is paralyzed and also an art practitioner. Then we will head to Likas to visit an old friend before moving to Petagas to visit a veteran singer in Sabah,” he revealed.
Supian said MAS and MAS Truckers have collected money amongst its members to buy daily food needs and extend some cash to the Sabah veteran art practitioners.
“This is our (MAS Truckers) first initiative. When we are allowed to cross [district borders], maybe we will think of other ways to help, not only the veteran artists but anyone in need.
“We will think about it. I call upon other NGOs out there to come and help those groups in need. Not only artists but also maybe sportsmen, maybe figures who have once made a name for Sabah,” he said.