RESPONDING to a call by PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar for party colleagues to “Pass It Forward” by donating the government’s RM100 SARA aid payment to the needy, Penang PKR Wanita did just that today at Mydin in Bukit Jambul Complex.
Led by Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, the initiative benefited 20 underprivileged families, who used the aid to purchase essential items such as rice, eggs, bread, instant noodles, cooking oil, flour, canned food, beverages, personal care products (soap, toothpaste), household cleaning supplies (detergent), approved medicines, and school supplies.
Also contributing their RM100 aid under the SARA cost-of-living programme were Penang Island City Council councillor ‘Cikgu’ Chan Soon Aun, Penang PKR Wanita chief Jayanti Kandayah, Balik Pulau Wanita deputy chief Aswirna Datuk Sukur, Bukit Jambul Complex secretary Manuel Nicholas Savarimuthu, and several other state PKR Women members.
“Today, we are launching the ‘Pass It Forward’ initiative at the state level for the island, and next month, we will do likewise in Seberang Perai,” Jayanti said.
She added that recipients were drawn from the Bukit Bendera, Balik Pulau, Bayan Baru, Jelutong, Bukit Gelugor, and Tanjong divisions.
“We just want to help ease the financial burden on needy families,” she explained.
Aswirna, who also serves as public relations senior executive of Bukit Jambul Complex, said recipients present were able to choose their items from Mydin, while those who arrived later would receive pre-packed boxes.
According to Kumaresan, since the RM100 SARA aid payment was launched on Aug 31, a total of 11.8 million people have utilised the aid, spending RM745.7 million as of Sept 7.
“I wish to commend Penang PKR Wanita for implementing this initiative and Mydin for actively supporting the programme,” said Kumaresan, who is also state PKR vice-chairman and economy bureau chairman.
Also present was Azmin Saduruddin, Mydin’s executive director (northern region).