KUALA LUMPUR: More than 500,000 food baskets worth RM50 million have been distributed to the B40 community nationwide since January.
To further expand the food aid programme, the Perikatan Nasional government also channelled RM300,000 to 222 members of parliament.
This was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as an initiative under the Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi Package (Pemulih).
The allocation is aimed at expediting delivery of aid to the communities which have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said assistance was also being channelled via the Kasih Prihatin programme under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, which the government had allocated RM100 million in the form of basic necessities, for 300,000 residents.
“The cashless assistance will enable the people to buy daily necessities at 300 chains of grocery stores, mini- markets and supermarkets from July to September, just by showing their identity cards at selected shops,” he said after a visit to the Kerinchi people’s housing project on Sunday.
He said this aid was in addition to the aid channelled by state religious councils and state zakat centres, besides those from non-governmental organisations.In Ayer Hitam, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong distributed food baskets to residents in the constituency on Sunday.
“Since March last year, I have distributed a total of 30,000 food baskets to Ayer Hitam residents to help reduce their burden through the difficult times due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the past three months, my service centre has distributed 15,535 food baskets to people living in Ayer Hitam.
“I fully understand the difficulties of the people during the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0 to curb the spread of Covid-19. Many sectors of the economy are affected and this has also affected the incomes of the B40 and M40 groups,” he added.
Wee added that there were also 37 food banks available for the needy in Ayer Hitam to ensure the welfare of the people and that food supply was not interrupted.
In Kuala Berang, 4,000 food baskets were distributed to residents in the Hulu Terengganu parliamentary constituency by its member of parliament and Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid.
The baskets were delivered on Sunday to residents in Kuala Berang, Ajil, Telemong and Manir.
Rosol said aid would be facilitated for those who have been affected by the pandemic and the residents only needed to contact the coordinators and officers at his constituency.
In Kota Tinggi, National Unity Minister and Kota Tinggi member of parliament Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique distributed 1,000 food baskets to the poor and hardcore poor, as well as those undergoing home surveillance order.
She said the Kota Tinggi parliamentary service centre has provided assistance to 5,768 people since the implementation of the first MCO last year.
Aid has also been distributed via Op Bantu by the Home Ministry via police and members of the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela). In this effort, district police headquarters will function as aid distribution centres, and Rela members will patrol neighbourhoods and get information on the targeted groups, as well as channelling aid to those who need help immediately.
Omar Yusof, 60, from Kampung Gaung Pecung in Kuala Berang, was surprised when police came to his house. He was among 10 recipients of the food basket aid in his village.
“I only do odd jobs around the village. It is my source of income, but it is uncertain.
“With the spread of Covid-19 and the implementation of the MCO, it is difficult for me to find work,” said Omar, who suffered from hearing problems due to injuries after he was hit by a tree while working as a logger last year.
Another recipient, Rafeah Ahmad, 76, said the food baskets would go a long way in easing the burden of her son, who works as a factory operator in Ajil.
“I live here with my son and daugher-in-law. He is the sole breadwinner of the family. It was a pleasant surprise when the policemen came to visit us with the food baskets,” she said.-NST