​The COVID-19 Relief Fund collected BND14,597,940 as of 4.15pm yesterday since it opened in March.

This was announced by Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah during a press conference at the Al-'Afiah Hall of the Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday.

The minister said the fund was opened for companies and the public to donate in aiding the MoH to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei Darussalam. Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew said BND12,953,059.30 was allocated to fund the building of the new National Isolation Centre (NIC) in the Tutong District, the purchase of medical equipment needed by the new NIC, as well as the purchase of the Infrared Thermal Imaging Device or
Smart Helmet.

The minister said the remaining contribution, along with the contributions received later on, will be used to fund the additional medical equipment identified by the COVID-19 Relief Fund Committee under the MoH.

Noting that the Sultanate has not seen any new COVID-19 cases within the past two and a half months and that the contributions from the public are slowing down, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew said the COVID-19 Relief Fund will close on August 1.

On behalf of the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the minister expressed gratitude for the concern, sincerity and spirit of volunteerism as well as the unity of donors, in helping address the COVID-19 pandemic in the Sultanate.

"May Allah the Almighty bestow His blessings on Brunei Darussalam and the population of this country," said the minister.

Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah during the press conference. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR

Courtesy: Borneo Bulletin