MIRI: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Telang Usan will be organising its fourth annual blood donation event this Saturday (Jan 25), aiming to support the Miri Blood Bank.
Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau expressed confidence in achieving this target while emphasising the importance of the event in addressing the urgent need for blood in the region.
“This blood donation initiative is an annual event organised by Telang Usan PBB. This marks the fourth consecutive year we have undertaken this effort in support of the Miri Blood Bank’s urgent need for blood,” said Dennis on Thursday (Jan 23).
He explained that the initiative is part of the party’s commitment to serving the people, not only in Telang Usan but also in other areas.
“This goes beyond politics and includes addressing issues such as welfare, infrastructure, amenities, and education while also responding to the needs of the Miri Blood Bank.”
Recognising the role of Miri Hospital as a key healthcare facility for the people of Telang Usan, Dennis stressed the shared responsibility of contributing to the hospital’s blood bank.
“This is why PBB has taken the initiative to contribute to the Miri Blood Bank through this annual event. It is a shared responsibility for everyone, and we do this not for political purposes but to serve the community’s needs, which could arise at any time unexpectedly.”
The event will be officiated by Dennis himself at 11.30am. He noted that the party has previously held similar initiatives in Pekan Long Lama and hopes to extend the programme to Long Bedian to encourage participation from rural communities, particularly among the Orang Ulu and Penan populations.
“I hope to see more participants from the remote Penan community because I have noticed they are generally very healthy, especially the younger generation. By participating, we can educate the youth on the importance of community service.”
He also emphasised the importance of bridging the gap between rural and urban communities, particularly in accessing healthcare services.
Next year, Telang Usan PBB plans to return to Long Bedian for another blood donation drive despite the logistical challenges involved, such as ensuring the hygiene and safe transportation of blood donations to Miri.
“We hope to receive assistance from Hornbill Skyways and private companies to transport the donated blood safely. We are not deterred by challenges and are committed to making this initiative a reality.
“If successful, this would mark the first blood donation drive conducted in such a remote area of southern Borneo, further strengthening ties between rural and urban communities,” Dennis said.
