The SMS Brunei Prihatin for the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Fund for Orphans (DANA) 2023-2024 successfully raised a total of BND186,068 from public contributions during its campaign from December 16, 2023, to September 16, 2024.
A ceremony to hand over the contributions was held on Monday at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital. Present to receive the funds as the guest of honour was Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, who is also the Chairman of the DANA Board of Trustees.
From the total collection, BND121,038 was raised through DST subscribers, with the cheque handed over by DST Chief Executive Officer Radin Sufri Radin Basiuni. In addition, DST contributed a corporate donation of BND10,000 to DANA.
Progresif Sdn Bhd subscribers contributed BND62,078, handed over by Chief Administration Officer Abdul Hakeem bin Haji Basir, along with Progresif’s corporate donation of BND1,000.
Meanwhile, imagine Sdn Bhd handed over a collection of BND2,952, presented by Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Allen On.
The three telecommunications companies, DST, Progresif, and Imagine, collaborated to provide SMS donation services free of charge, enabling their subscribers to contribute effortlessly. Other agencies, such as Radio Television Brunei (RTB), the Information Department, the Mosque Affairs Department, and Pelita Brunei, supported the campaign by disseminating information through television, radio broadcasts, and Friday sermons. Additionally, cinemas promoted the campaign at no cost.
Launch of SMS Brunei Prihatin for DANA 2024-2025
The ceremony also marked the launch of the SMS Brunei Prihatin for DANA 2024-2025, officiated by the guest of honour. The new campaign will run from December 2, 2024, to September 2, 2025, and aims to continue fostering care and support for orphans in the country.
The initiative encourages the public to contribute by typing DANA, followed by the desired donation amount (e.g., DANA10 for a BND 10 donation), and sending the SMS to 38111 for DST and Progresif subscribers, or 39999 for Imagine subscribers. Donations can be made in amounts of BND 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, or 100 without any service charges.
The SMS Brunei Prihatin project seeks to enhance the community’s sense of care and responsibility toward orphans. It also provides a convenient mechanism for individuals to channel their contributions.
Also in attendance were Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the DANA Board of Trustees, and Permanent Secretary (Planning, Land Use, and Environment) Dr Dayang Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak, in her capacity as Acting Chief Executive Officer of DANA. – James Kon
