Year: 2021

JOHOR BAHRU, June 10  — A total of 300 media practitioners and promoters of the Info on Wheels programme in the state will receive a special contribution of RM500 from the Johor government in appreciation and recognition of their efforts in providing information and advocacy on COVID-19.

Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the contribution, the first since the pandemic began, was part of 16 initiatives under the Ihsan Johor 3.0 Economic Stimulus Package (PRE Ihsan Johor 3.0) amounting to RM126.86 million announced by the state government today for the community and human capital sector.

He said it would be given on a one-off basis but did not specify when the payment would be made.

Info on Wheels is a programme under the Information Department to provide announcements and channel accurate information on COVID-19 to the public in focus areas.

Hasni said apart from the two groups involved, assistance amounting to RM500 on a one-off basis was also given to 1,197 canteen operators of government schools and government-aided schools as well as 4,202 barbershops or salon premises.

“A total of 2,123 registered school bus and van drivers; 22,071 participants in the e-Kasih list; 5,264 imam, bilal and noja; 630 village heads as well as 10,000 people who lost their jobs or income will also receive the same amount of assistance,” he said when announcing the PRE 3.0 package virtually today.

Hasni said other initiatives include providing an allocation of RM1 million to the Darul Ta’zim Family Development Foundation (YPKDT) to hold counseling clinics, psychology and counseling webinars as well as online psychological tests which are expected to help 10,000 people.

Apart from that, through the cooperation of MyKasih Foundation, the state government will also provide goods vouchers worth RM200 to 300,000 B40 families, besides providing food basket assistance worth RM100 each to 20,000 people in need in the state with a total allocation of RM2 million.

For its Food Truck Programme, which is expected to benefit almost 100,000 people affected by COVID-19, the state government has also provided an allocation of RM8 million.

“Besides that, 11 affiliated bodies (associations) and 10 district cultural councils registered under the Johor State Cultural Council will each be given RM1,000; while a total of 958 arts activists will receive RM500 each with a total assistance of RM500,000,” he said.

The new economic stimulus package totaling RM241 million is the largest allocation ever announced by Johor so far during the COVID-19 period, after the PRE Ihsan Johor 1.0 involving RM167.33 million and PRE Ihsan Johor 2.0 (RM109.48 million).

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, in collaboration with MyKasih Foundation, has established “PetronMyKasih Jom Derma” donation programme to give Petron Miles (PMiles) cardholders a chance to donate their points for a good cause.

MyKasih Foundation is a government-approved charitable organisation. 

Since its inception in 2009, the foundation has channelled RM280 million worth of aid to more than 300,000 low-income households and students nationwide. 

Petron Malaysia head of retail and commercial business Choong Kum Choy said working together with MyKasih Foundation, the company would be providing its customers the opportunity to help by donating their PMiles points to those in need. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Choong said the company’s PMiles card was more than just a loyalty card that provides members with attractive rewards.

It also now allows members to share their points with needy families from as low as 500 P-Miles points, which converts to a gift of RM5. 

“Using the PMiles card to contribute is easy and convenient as our customers can do so whenever they are at our stations. 

“And for the benefit of those who contribute, the donations will be issued with tax-exempt receipts from MyKasih,” he said. 

Petron Malaysia said starting from May 7 until August 31, each P-Miles point donated would be converted into cash and vested into MyKasih Foundation. 

Through the foundation, B40 families can purchase groceries and other necessities from more than 250 retail store partners including Mydin, Tesco, Giant, Econsave, The Store, Aeon, 99 Speedmart and TF Value Mart.  

“Every 500 PMiles points donated will be converted into RM5, while every 1,000 PMiles points into RM10. 

“Customers may donate in multiples of RM5 or RM10 at all Petron service stations through the sales counter. 

“Petron customers who donate through this programme will be issued with a receipt. This programme is available at all Petron stations nationwide,” it said.

PETALING JAYA: The aid and initiatives for the urban poor and vulnerable groups under the recent Pemerkasa stimulus programme are a welcome effort that’s much-lauded by the B40 community.

Pemerkasa – or the People and Economic Strategic Empowerment Programme – includes various provisions for these groups under the Bantuan Rentan Bandar (Aid for Urban Vulnerable Group) initiative.

Among those who hailed the initiative was former quality assurance supervisor Mohd Zaini Saleh, 54.

“In these trying times, many people have lost jobs and any aid will help the affected families. For instance, if there is food aid for one month, at least for that month they don’t have to worry so much about putting food on the table.

“Such types of aid are definitely needed by the B40 community, ” said the longtime resident of Desa Mentari PPR (People’s Housing Project) here.

The father of six – including three stepchildren – aged 24 to 37, is a Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) recipient. His wife is a homemaker.Much-appreciated: Pall is glad that the government is taking extra steps to help the rakyat.

Mohd Zaini recently chose to resign from his company of 35 years due to poor health.

He knows too well that not having a job is worrying, especially for those with dependants. But luckily for him, his children are all grown up.

He said the RM500 one-off assistance given to those in the B40 category who had lost their jobs was a good move.

“Although it is only a one-time payment, it serves as a buffer and helps people tide over tough times while the unemployed plan their next step, ” he said.

Taxi driver Pall Singh, 60, has also been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“During the first movement control order last year, my business dropped sharply and I struggled to make ends meet. My biggest worry was putting food on the table, paying my housing loan, car instalment, groceries and other miscellaneous bills, ” said the father of two, whose wife is a homemaker.

Last April, Pall received RM1,000 under the BPR initiative. He was among thousands of Malaysians under the B40 and M40 groups who gained benefits from the initiative.

“The money was helpful to cover some of my expenses, ” he said.

Pall, who has been driving a taxi for 15 years, was pleased when he heard about the recent Pemerkasa programme.

“I am happy that our government is taking extra steps to help the rakyat. Any aid, be it food vouchers or money, can go a long way, especially for B40 families.

“Hopefully, our economy will get better after the country completes its national vaccination programme, ” said the retired physical training instructor with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Through Pemerkasa, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government will allocate RM1.2bil to help 2.4 million people from the B40 group as well as BPR recipients.

This will come in the form of one-off cash assistance of RM500 to those from the B40 group who have lost their income and BPR recipients earning RM1,000 and below.

To reduce the cost of living, especially for the urban poor, the government will also allocate RM100mil for families to buy basic food items via a cashless payment method (see graphic on MyKasih).

The programme is expected to benefit 300,000 poor households nationwide.

Roy Tan, general manager of GT Community Care Bhd, a non-profit charity organisation, said the aid for the vulnerable group is timely.

“Definitely, the initiative comes at a critical time because many people are going through some form of suffering and hardship due to the economic crisis, ” he said.

Adding that food is a basic necessity, he said the RM100mil allocated for needy families to get basic food items is a plus point.

“Together with the need to pay for rental and utilities, and with schools reopening, there are extra expenses incurred, so any help is good, ” said Tan, adding that one of GT Community Care’s current programmes is running a food bank that provides for 150 poor families in Klang.

Dr James Nayagam, chairman of Suriana Welfare Society, welcomed the one-off cash assistance to those in the B40 group who have lost their jobs.

But he said medium and long-term solutions are needed to help the urban poor more effectively.

He said since the start of the first MCO last year, the society has provided food aid to 20,000 families within Petaling Jaya.

“The government initiative for the urban poor is a good move, but there needs to be accountability in terms of who gets what to make sure the needy people get the aid, ” he said.

He also said free WiFi in low-cost housing areas is something necessary to help bridge the digital divide in society.

This article first appeared on The Star, 10/04/2021.

It looked like Chinese New Year was going to be a sombre affair for 67-year-old Chu Boy Ming and her family.

With her son – a construction worker and sole breadwinner in the family – having his income reduced due to the current pandemic situation, Chu had resigned herself to not being able to make CNY goodies, and having a modest reunion dinner at most.

But Carlsberg Malaysia in partnership with Star Foundation and MyKasih Foundation rolled out the Celebrate Prosperity, Cheers For Tomorrow food aid initiative to support 400 needy families nationwide amid current trying times.

Carlsberg Malaysia and Star Foundation channelled RM200,000 to MyKasih Foundation which distributed RM500 each to these families in time for the Chinese New Year celebration.

“I’m happy that they are helping people, ” said a grateful Chu who was among the recipients.

With the money, she bought foodstuff for the Chinese New Year. “Sugar to make huat kueh for prayers, ” she said, “and cooking oil to fry ngaku (arrowhead) chips.”

The rest of the money was for provisions to keep the family going. Chu joined fellow recipients who turned up at participating retailers in their area and she bought approved essential items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, biscuits, Milo and eggs.

Klang beneficiaries with their groceries just in time for Chinese New Year celebrations.

Carlsberg Malaysia managing director Stefano Clini said the company was sensitive to the current sentiment and rolled out its Celebrate Prosperity, Cheers For Tomorrow food aid campaign to add some festive cheer for Chinese New Year celebrants, and to tide the rest over.

Star Foundation and Star Media Group chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said that to rebuild the economy and restore the people’s livelihood following the second movement control restriction would take “a whole-of-society effort whereby everyone can play a part to support one another.”

Goh Gek Keow, 75, who lives with her two children, did not expect to receive RM500 from this campaign.

“She usually got RM100 or RM200 from other NGOs and benefactors previously. So getting a RM500 allowance from Carlsberg was a real delight, ” said her son Low Beng Kiat.

The part-time real estate worker said that since the movement control order was enforced, his commission-based income has been inconsistent, so the RM500 came in handy.

While the food aid campaign focused mainly on underprivileged families, orphans, single-parent families and those with disabled family members, recipients were also selected based on their monthly household income of less than RM2,500.

Single mother Kanniyakumari Darbadas, 37, who has two of her four children living with her received the RM500 one-time payment but she wished that it could be a monthly allowance.

“Thank you so much. If I can have this monthly, I can feed my children, ” she said.

Her neighbour Karthiyaani Ramalingam shared that Kanniyakumar is prone to seizures and thus unable to work.

“When she is unwell, her children would run over to find me. The houses here are far apart, but I’m the nearest, ” said Karthiyaani, 39.

“Normally she would be given RM300 from welfare agencies and she used the money to pay the bills and feed her children.

“Now with Covid-19, her children in primary school are having trouble with their studies. The school has asked Kanniyakumari to buy a laptop. Where to find the money?

“So her children have not been studying for more than a year, ” said Karthiyaani.

PETALING JAYA: Gift-giving is a practice that is very much a part of Chinese New Year as a way to convey good wishes in the coming year.

Amid current trying times, Carlsberg Malaysia is partnering with Star Foundation and MyKasih Foundation to support 400 needy families nationwide via the “Celebrate Prosperity, Cheers For Tomorrow” food aid initiative.

Under this initiative, Carlsberg and Star Foundation will channel RM200,000 to MyKasih Foundation which will distribute RM500 each to these families in time for the Chinese New Year celebration.

This programme is part of Carlsberg’s RM1mil pledge with five media organisations to reach out to Malaysians nationwide.

“We understand that many Malaysians are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the floods in several states.

“As we remain hopeful for the new year, we are sensitive to the current sentiment and subsequently rolled out Carlsberg’s ‘Celebrate Prosperity, Cheers For Tomorrow’ food aid campaign.

“We hope that with RM1mil worth of food essentials to 2,000 families, whose livelihoods have been impacted, they can celebrate while keeping it moderate, ” said Carlsberg Malaysia managing director Stefano Clini.

Recipients will be selected based on their monthly household income of less than RM2,500.

The focus is on underprivileged families, orphans, single-parent families and those with disabled family members.

“With the second movement control order upon us, efforts to rebuild our economy and livelihoods of the people are once again taking a hit.

“From our media interactions with Malaysians at large, many are trying hard to adapt to the new normal, but it is often the vulnerable who are left behind with little means to survive, ” said Star Foundation and Star Media Group chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow.

“Helping fellow Malaysians takes a whole-of-society effort, where everyone can play a part to support one another.

“To this end, we would like to thank Carlsberg for initiating this project and inviting Star Foundation and MyKasih to be part of this noble cause. Together, we will help reduce the burden of needy families through the provision of essential supplies, ” he added.

Fu said this complements Star Foundation’s ongoing efforts, from supporting non-profit organisations and medical frontliners to funding surgeries for ill children.

“We will continue to respond to the needs of the people where possible, ” he said.

With people’s movements restricted, MyKasih Foundation’s unique cashless aid distribution will enable funds to be channelled directly to selected recipients via their MyKad accounts in a secure, targeted and transparent manner.

Recipients can then spend the allowance to purchase approved essential items at participating outlets near their locations, thereby adhering to the standard operating procedure and safeguarding beneficiaries and volunteers against the risk of Covid-19 infection.

“The struggles of B40 families never seem to end with the ongoing pandemic and floods in some states, and many are appealing for aid.

“By providing assurance of food on their tables, families can focus on other pressing needs including children’s schooling and earning a living, ” said MyKasih Foundation chairman and co-founder Tan Sri Dr Ngau Boon Keat.

Another initiative that Carlsberg is running is the Carlsberg-Huazong Education Fund which will be giving out RM1mil in bursary to support 333 Malaysians in their pursuit of education, while also offering waivers to beneficiaries of the Fund facing financial difficulties in loan repayment.

Those interested may apply via Huazong at www.huazong.my from Feb 1-12.