Taiwan Donates Rp.5 Billion for Disaster Victims in Palu

Jakarta, MINA – The Taiwanese government handed over Rp.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to the people of Palu, Central Sulawesi through the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

The assistance will be for the construction of Al-Islamic Center in Palu. It was symbolically handed over to the non-active MUI Chair Ma’ruf Amin at the MUI Office, Menteng, Central Jakarta on Tuesday.

“I thank the Taiwan delegation, Mr. John Chen handed over an additional Rp. 5 billion. In the first phase, Taiwan has provided assistance for the construction of the Islamic Center in Palu through MUI as much as Rp. 7.5 billion, “he said.

Ma’ruf admitted that his institution was always open to accepting humanitarian assistance to disaster victims in need, from Lombok to Palu. He also ensured that the assistance received by the MUI would be directly distributed to the victims.

“We have a regional MUI that deals directly with those who need it, and so far it has done MUI, and doesn’t stop by anywhere but directly to the target,” said Ma’ruf who also serves as Indonesia’s vice president.

“As soon as this assistance is distributed, the person in charge of the field, already in existence, has been waiting to take the donation to be built,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Representative of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO), John Chen, said the aid was the result of fundraising from the government and people of Taiwan. He hopes the assistance will be useful for the people of Palu.

“We also believe that the construction of Islamic Center in Palu will help the surrounding community whether Muslim or not to help their lives either,” he said.

John Chen hopes that it will enhance cooperation between Taiwan and the Indonesian Ulema Council.

“The cooperation is a joint venture between our office and MUI with Muslim religious partners, which is progressing and developing,” he said. (T/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)