A TOTAL of 600 underprivileged families in Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugor received an early Chinese New Year present from the Penang government through the Kepala Batas parliamentary special coordinating office today.
Lay Hock Peng, who is the special coordinating officer to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, said each family was handed a hamper containing basic necessities.
“All the 600 families are from six constituencies under Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugor.
“They are Bertam, Penaga, Pinang Tunggal (Kepala Batas) and Permatang Berangan, Sungai Dua and Telok Ayer Tawar (Tasek Gelugor).
“Each hamper contains coffee, noodles, face masks, canned food, biscuits, vegetables and also ang pow (red packet).
“The hamper distribution is divided into three sessions to avoid overcrowding that started since afternoon until at night.
“Each hamper costs around RM60. And we hope that the hamper presentation ceremony today for all races will further strengthen the harmony amongst the people,” said Lay during the hamper presentation ceremony at the Kepala Batas parliamentary special coordinating office today.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee and Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) general manager Dr Gwee Sai Ling.
Soon said his office also helped to contribute 165 of the 600 hampers given out today.
He also reminded everyone to observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in order to overcome the spread of the Covid-19 infections in view of the coming Chinese New Year.
“While we are all happy to celebrate the Chinese New Year with our family and friends, we should not let our guard down in the fight against Covid-19.
“We should continue to follow the safety measures such as practising social distancing, wearing face masks, going out only when necessary, avoiding crowded places and washing hands frequently.
“We cannot become too relaxed because the virus is still around,” he added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad