THE Penang government has distributed a total of 32,000 food baskets to the poor and those in need ever since the first implementation of the movement control order (MCO 1.0) last year through its food aid distribution programme.
State Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the food baskets were given to every state assemblyman and Member of Parliament (MPs) in Penang, including the opposition members, to be distributed accordingly.
“This proves that we do not discriminate or sideline anyone during these trying times.
“Among those who received the aid are from Social Welfare Department aid recipients; Agenda Ekonomi Saksama (AES) aid recipients; residents of People’s Housing Project (PPR) or low-cost housing scheme, and any qualified individuals or families identified by the respective state assemblymen or MP.
“With this, we can at least reduce their burden and also reduce the number of people who need to be helped in the state.
“We also understand that many people are really affected during this Covid-19 pandemic.
“So, we also allow the recipients to apply for another food basket again if they have already run out of food supply.
“They just need to go to their assemblyman’s service centre or call their office to ask for it,” Phee told Buletin Mutiara during an interview today.
Apart from that, Phee said the state government also has given out a RM30,000 special allocation to every state constituency last year.
“We also have given out another RM30,000 this year to all 40 state constituencies.
“So, in total, we have given out RM60,000 allocation to each assemblyman.
“The special allocation acts as an emergency relief fund for the local communities.
“All of this proved that we are the government that cares for our people,” he added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad