MALAYSIAN RELIEF AGENCY TO COLLECT US$1.28 MILLION TO HELP PAKISTANI FLOOD VICTIMS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) has
launched a charity art exhibition as part of its efforts to raise RM4 million
(US$1.28 million) to help flood victims in Pakistan.

Its president, Dr Abdul Razak Kechik, said the agency hoped to collect
at least RM100,000 (US$32,102), in proceeds from the exhibition and raise RM4
million by December.

"The most important thing is to let them (Pakistan flood victims) have a
place as a safe shelter in the winter season," he told reporters after the
launch of the exhibition by Tunku Kamariah Aminah Tunku Iskandar here Monday.

He said the fund would be used to build 1,000 units of houses, several water
pumps and wells, and repair mosques which were affected by the floods, and also
provide about 400 cows for sacrifice.

"Almost all of them (flood victims) come from the hardcore poverty category
and they are only able to use mud to build their houses," he said, adding that
as of Oct 11, 100 houses were in the midst of being built while 10 were already
completed.

"We are intending to build four to five pumps for three villages which we
have chosen, two villages in Charsadda and one village in D.I Khan, he said.

He said contributions could be made by writing out cheques under the name,
'MALAYSIAN RELIEF AGENCY' or through Maybank, with the account number
564098206365, or contact MRA at 03-26972007 for further information.

-- BERNAMA