THE Penang government, through Kepala Batas parliamentary special coordinating office, will distribute a total of 900 food baskets to the underprivileged in the constituency as well as Tasek Gelugor by this week (May 8).
Lay Hock Peng, who is the special coordinating officer to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, said the food basket aid would focus on 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).
“We have informed all the recipients to come to the Kepala Batas parliamentary special coordinating office this Saturday to receive their food baskets.
“The aid programme will be divided into five sessions, starting from 8am to 5pm.
“This is important to prevent overcrowding at the office in view of the Covid-19 situation in the state,” Lay told a press conference at the Kepala Batas parliamentary special coordinating office today.
According to Lay, the food basket aid is aimed to tide them over for now amid the Covid-19 situation and also to reduce their burden in view of the upcoming Hari Raya celebration next week.
“The food baskets consist of 5kg rice bag, sugar, a packet of biscuits, coffee, dates, face masks and others. Each basket costs RM50,” he added.
Lay said that his office also would start providing 2,000 spray disinfectant to the residents in Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugor to prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic among the community.
“They can come to our office to get it from May 17. It will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad