THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE PEOPLE OF BUKIT IBAM !!

The response was overwhelming with an estimated donated goods worth RM12,000-00 collected. Donations at Alibaba continued to flow throughout the night on 31 January 2007 and we ended up getting a lorry to transport all the goods together with a convoy of 24 cars. (here and here for list of donors)

We made our way to Bukit Ibam at 9 am on Thursday, 1 February 2007 and with the help of Ketua Balai, Balai Polis Bukit Ibam Sergeant Major Rageli bin Asri and the Ketua Kampung (Tok Empat) En Md Zamri, the plan was to repack the donated items with the help of women in the kampong so that the items could distributed equally to the flood victims. They worked hard from 3 pm till midnight to get the job done.

On Friday, 2 February 2007, each vehicle was assigned to load donated goods for a particular village. Despite the plans formulated, some of the drivers wanted to see the affected villages and a decision was made to convoy together. We convoyed and dropped off donations to several villages i.e. Asrama Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Ibam, Kg Buluh Nipis, Kg Aur, Kg Kemara, Kg Plum, Kg Aur Keladang (detailed info can be found below).

Water marks of between 2ft to 5ft from the floods were clearly visible. The Titi Gantung i.e. walking bridge over the river was severely damaged.
By afternoon, another team was formed to assist in community work and to rebuild bridges for the planned trip on Saturday to Kg Jubar, a remote village located northwest of Bukit Ibam. The team managed to rebuild one of the bridges allowing villagers to access the northern region to the nearest main road. i.e. Route 12.
On Saturday morning of 3 February 2007, our team faced the toughest challenge - “the road to Jubar”. The weather was on our side even though dark clouds were hovering above us. We prayed hard that it does not rain. Unfortunately, one of the vehicles in the convoy got stuck in the mud but manage to get out without assistance. Had it rained, the track would have been considered hard core as the dirt track was steep and there were many crevices and gullies to maneuver around.

Our first stop on Saturday was Kg Langkap Lama. The track conditions were very steep and narrow. The assigned cars veered off to Kg Langkap Lama whilst the main convoy stationed themselves on the main track. Later after unloading the donations and upon rejoining the main convoy we proceeded to Kg Jubar.
Arriving at Kg Jubar, we were greeted by the village folks and the Tok Batin who was very happy to see us. Balance of our donated goods were unloaded here. In gratitude the Tok Batin offered their harvest of giant ubi kayu, while En Md Zamri bin Budin, the Ketua Kampong presented a plaque to show their appreciation to our team leader 9W2SBS Aiznin.
Despite the rough trip we had endured, the effort was well worth it. We would like to thank all amateur radio member (HAM) and friends of HAM who have donated and assisted in the charity event and well as those who have sacrificed their time and their own expense to participate in this event. Special thanks also go to the KL crew. We like to also thank HAM friends from Segamat , Bandar Muadzam Shah and PERAMAH (Kuantan) who came to give support. To all, this effort would not have been possible without you!

Finally a special thanks to Land & General Berhad KL Sports Club, The Malaysian Bar Council , FAMA , Kontena National, Time Engineering and Bumihiway for their support and contributions.

Reported by 9W2AXE