Birth and rise of BANGKIT

KUALA LUMPURA (Jan 15, 2012): What started out as a foundation to help the needy and underprivileged in Pandan in December 1999 has today spread its wings nationwide.

BANGKIT Malaysia, the civil rights care alliance wing of Yayasan Bakti Nusa Malaysia (YBNM), was officially launched by Pandan MP Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat.

Ong said BANGKIT was mooted in 2008 with the modest services of one mobile clinic in Pandan.

BANGKIT volunteers from five states turn up in full force to support a worthy nationwide cause that is led by Ong – OTK InfoPic by Steve Yong
“Today, we have a fleet of five such units and we are confident of expanding the fleet. And we are now present in five states with more than 300 volunteers and growing.

“If all goes well, in two or three months, we will make our presence felt in Sarawak,” he said in his address at the launching at the entrance of Berjaya Times Square today.

Ong, who is also YBNM executive adviser, said: “BANGKIT is a non-profit organisation with no financial support from the government. As we don't have deep pockets ourselves, we are surviving on the goodwill of well-wishers and volunteers.

“Our aim is to provide free community services to the needy and underprivileged. The services cover personal health care, education, career advancement and opportunities, as well as civil rights.”

BANGKIT leaders cum volunteers rally on stage at the official launch of the nationwide initiative to serve and help the poor and needy – OTK InfoPic by Steve Yong
YBNM, first registered on Dec 27, 1999, as Yayasan Kebajikan Bakti Nusa, today mobilises its activities via:

1. BANGKIT (aimed at providing free medical health care using mobile clinics, an initiative designed to answer the calls of addressing the urban poor malaise;

2. HOPE programme, an education initiative granting eligible students who were denied opportunities of admission into local public universities a second chance of pursuing tertiary education locally at subsidised and affordable rates;

3. TRAIN, a multi-skill training programme conducted in collaboration with relevant industries for the school leavers. The learning module is emphatic of practicality and employability. This manifests the commitment of YBNM to the nation’s goal of human capital development;

4. WOMEN protection agenda, a gamut of cross-gender social caring initiatives that include programmes such as the nationwide City Survival Skill training workshops and skill learning modules designed to improve the underprivileged women’s livelihood; and

5. CHILD protection agenda aimed at saving the lives of abandoned babies. The entire agenda is designed in the Malaysian perspective in pursuit of a Malaysia United, the common dream cherished by all Malaysians.

Ong delivering his address at the official launch of BANGKIT – OTK InfoPic by Steve Yong
Ong said YBNM’s initiatives have been and would continue to be upgraded and further improved from time to time.

For example, Ong said, optometry services for eye care, was recently introduced in Ipoh by BANGKIT’s mobile clinic, in addition to other medical health care check-ups and tests.

“Doctors have also volunteered to help back up the mobile clinics, providing free medical consultations and medicine. Traditional medical services such as acupuncture are now made available to the general public at mobile clinics,” he added.

To date, BANGKIT’s presence in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Johor has been well received with voluntary support and involvement from the people. It is headed by the various appointed state chiefs.

YBNM president Dato’ Dr How Kok Choong said in his address that he would do his level best to ensure BANGKIT’s sustainability.

“I am just a businessman. But BANGKIT is a noble cause and it is worth supporting such a community service,” he added.

BANGKIT chief Eng Hiap Boon said: “We will serve as volunteers for BANGKIT’s cause. We are not rich but we are committed to ensure that we are sustainable in our work and reach to the needy and underprivileged.”
 
Ong calling on volunteers manning a mobile clinic at the official launch of BANGKIT – OTK InfoPic by Steve Yong