Aid pours in for Cham Muslims

EARLY RAYA GIFT: Zahid hands over clothes, generators to Cambodians 

By V. SHUMAN

The New Straits Times

news@nst.com.my

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre) with the Malaysian team that delivered aid to villagers in Kampung Rakapram in Cambodia on Wednesday. On the left is Cambodia’s mufti, Kamaruddin Yusof @ Sos Kamry. Pic by V. Shuman

KUALA LUMPUR: THOUSANDS of Muslims in Cham district in Cambodia got an  early Hari Raya Aidilfitri surprise when they received  goodies   from a humanitarian team from Ma-laysia on Wednesday.

The team, led by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, presented clothes, books and generators, worth RM500,000, to residents of Kampung Rakapram and surrounding villages.

Zahid was joined by representatives from Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim), Polytechnic Education Department employees and reporters, who had been in Phnom Penh for the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting.

The arrival of the convoy was greeted by more than 1,000 Muslim Cambodians.

Zahid said the villagers were united with a majority of Malaysians by Islam.

"I feel privileged to be here with my brethren. This trip, although my first, will not be my last.

"I see a great opportunity for people here to come work in Malaysia and will discuss this issue with Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam," he said to applause from the crowd.

"If the women are willing, they can undergo training and come work for Muslim families in Malaysia."

He said this would provide more jobs to the villagers and help resolve the maid shortage issue in Malaysia.

He said there were also plans to provide scholarships to Muslim Cambodian students to study in Malaysia.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force provided an aircraft to ferry the team and its cargo.

Last year, 10,000 copies of the Quran, translated into Khmer, were delivered to people in Cham district.

The journey to Rakapram village, 120km from Phnom Penh, was long and arduous.

However, the spirit of the Malaysian team remained high, especially when its members met the villagers, most of whom work in nearby farms.

The team's visit was a reprieve for the Muslim minority in Cambodia, said the country's mufti, Kamaruddin Yusof @ Sos Kamry.

"We have had Malaysians extending aid to us before, but this is the first time a minister has come."

Kamaruddin said Cambodians, particularly Muslims, had flourished since the end of Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot's regime.

"There used to be 700,000 Muslims in the country prior to 1975. When Pol Pot was in power between 1976 and 1979, the number dropped to 300,000, as many people were killed or fled the country.

"Now there are about 500,000 Muslims here and we are thriving."