As the full extent of the tsunami disaster unfolded, shocked Malaysians, unused to a natural disaster of such scale, continued to come out in numbers to contribute to the Malaysian Tsunami Disaster Fund. By the end of today, total funds pledged were in excess of RM3.3 million.

The corporate sector, NGOs and individuals today pledged or gave cheques totalling more than RM2.3 million. Yesterday, three corporate bodies and one individual contributed RM850,000 to kick off the fund which was started by the New Straits Times and Berita Harian.

TV3 and 8TV, the New Straits Times Press Berhad’s associate company, today joined the two newspapers in creating awareness and collecting funds for the victims and for rehabilitation of affected areas.

The funds collected will be handed over to the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The Genting Group today pledged RM1 million to the fund, followed by Crocodile International Pte Ltd, whose representative handed over a cheque for RM500,000 for the fund.

Other major donors today included Maxis Berhad (RM300,000), Penang Turf Club (RM250,000), Plus Berhad (RM100,000), UEM Berhad (RM100,000) and Pharmaniaga, a UEM associate company, which will send RM50,000 worth of medical supplies to the affected regions.

Genting CEO Tan Sri K.T. Lim said he was deeply saddened by the disaster which was triggered by the 8.9 underwater earthquake off Sumatra and claimed thousands of lives in the region.

"As a responsible corporate citizen, the group would like to do its part by giving out the financial aid to help victims and their families go through this difficult time, both emotionally as well as the resulting financial losses.

"The Crocodile International representative, who asked not to be named, said the group was concerned about the welfare of survivors and saddened by the deaths of so many people.

Maxis Berhad’s CEO Datuk Jamaludin Ibrahim hoped their contribution will ease the pain of the victims and their families.

PTC’s general manager Robin Rizal P.H. Tan and Equine Capital Berhad’s Datuk Patrick Lim today handed over their donations to Najib, who was in Penang to visit the affected areas.

Three of the companies handed their contributions to NSTP today. They were represented by UEM managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin, UEM chairman Datuk Abu Hassan Kendut and Plus chairman Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim.

All expressed deepest sympathies for the victims and pledged to do whatever they could to help.They said at times of such tragedies, the nation had to come together to help each other.

The funds collected will be handed over to Najib’s office as they come in. All those who want to contribute can submit their donations to the NST-BH office at 31, Jalan Riong, 59100, Kuala Lumpur or at the TV3 and 8TV offices at Sri Pentas, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya.On the reverse side of the cheque, please write NST-BH-TV3-8TV Malaysian Tsunami Disaster Fund.

Berat mata memandang,berat lagi bahu memikul.Marilah kita bersama2 membantu mereka yg tidak bernasib baik semampu yang boleh.