THE Hwa Kwang Buddhist Temple in Miri, Sarawak was initially a scene of chaos during its charity drive earlier today as thousands of people of different races and religions gathered at the temple to get a free 10kg bag of rice.

The Borneo Post reported that the brief commotion could have been due to the long wait which caused the large crowd to push forward.

The event was to start at 10.30am but some arrived as early as 4am to ensure they would be among the first to get the rice.

During the event, temple and People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel were able to get things under control.

Umban Dana, 62, from Rumah Chabu at Lepong Ajai, Sungai Liam said she took a bus and walked several kilometres in the rain to reach the temple.

“I took the bus just before 7am and arrived at the temple just before 8am. I waited for a bit before they opened the gate to allow us to enter the temple grounds.

“My knee was in pain but being able to get a packet of rice, I am happy,” The Borneo Post quoted her as saying.

Umban said the 10kg bag of rice can last her family for at least two weeks.

Julaihi Adam, 58, from Kampung Lusut, Taman Tunku, said he arrived at the temple’s gate at 6am.

“I came early because I knew it was going to be very crowded. The packet of rice can last my family for a week or two, but I am grateful,” he said.

Spokesman Lee Eng Pin said the temple began distributing rice house to house in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic first started.

“It was initiated by our late Master Phang Soon Tong, who died last year due to sickness.

“Since 2020, the rice distribution has continued to be part of our programme to help those in need. We have managed to distribute about 600 packets of 10kg rice every year since then.

“This year, we decided to hold the distribution at our temple and doubled the amount of rice from 600 bags of 10kg to 1,200 bags, of which 600 were purchased from our funds and the other half were donated by generous members of the public,” he said. – November 11, 2023.