Lankans fall for reward rumour in Bahrain

Rumours that expatriates taking part in a Bahrain Loyalty Pledge campaign would be rewarded with money were dismissed yesterday. The rumours have mainly been circulating among Bahrain’s Sri Lankan community.

 

But the Al Sayeghe family, which is behind the campaign, said only the names of Bahrainis who sign the petition would be presented to the country’s leadership - meaning there was no reason to pay expats to sign up.

 

However, he added that other nationalities were welcome to take part in the initiative to show their support.

 

“Nobody has promised any money. This is 100 per cent a rumour,” spokesman and Depaj Jewellers public relations officer Mohammed Al Sayeghe told the GDN yesterday.

 

“There is a tsunami of people who have come forward to sign the pledge books supporting the leadership of the kingdom.”

 

Sri Lankan honorary consul-general P B Higgoda said he had received many calls enquiring whether expats signing the petition would get BD500.

 

“This is not true and the message has been misinterpreted by somebody promising money,” he added.

 

The GDN has been contacted by an expatriate who said her Sri Lankan cook was told she would get paid for showing her support.

 

“My cook informed me she went to Bramco temple in Asker, where a person was collecting names of people to get the cash,” she said.

 

“She told me this was mainly because they did not leave the country during the unrest last month.”

 

The campaign offers people the opportunity to show their support to His Majesty King Hamad, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander.

 

The GDN reported yesterday that the Social Development Ministry was helping organisers to identify Bahrainis and non-Bahrainis who signed the books.

 

The campaign was officially launched on Wednesday by Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

 

Organisers say they expect hundreds of thousands to sign up.

 

The pledge books will be presented to the leadership later this month during a celebration, details of which are yet to be finalised.

 

Meanwhile, swords bearing the names of signatories will also be presented to the King, HRH the Prime Minister and HRH the Crown Prince.

 

The campaign was originally due to last for just two days at Bahrain National Stadium, but has been extended due to a massive response, Gulf Daily News reports.