nst

The New Straits Times Press Fund for Gaza donated RM5 million to a Palestinian humanitarian fund to help the war-torn country rebuild itself.

NSTP chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan handed a mock cheque to the wife of the deputy prime minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is chairman of Plea for Funds in the Name of Humanity (Rayuan Dana Atas Nama Kemanusian).

It was witnessed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Sultanah Ke-dah Tuanku Haminah Hami-dun, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia Abdelaziz Aboughosh.

The NSTP Fund for Gaza was launched on Jan 5 and has collected more than RM5.6 million. It is to aid Palestinians in the Gaza Strip following Israeli attacks in the territory.

NSTP was among a slew of corporations that had donated generously last night at a star-studded charity event. Others include Yayasan Al-Bukhary which donated RM1.5 million, Berjaya Group (RM500,000), an anonymous donor (RM500,000), Permo-dalan Nasional Bhd (RM250,000) and Puncak Niaga (RM200,000).

The fund headed by Rosmah has collected RM10.7 million so far.

All donations will be channelled to Wisma Putra's Palestine Humanitarian Fund.

Rosmah said plans were afoot to implement special projects in Gaza.

"These include the rebuilding of hospitals and schools that were destroyed during the war."