Socso and PPIM hand out rations to recipients based at airport

Mohd Razmi (left) handing over a box containing rations to a taxi driver during the event held at Koplimo at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

TAXI and limo drivers based at Penang International Airport have had it hard given the protracted travel ban imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reaching out to help them are Social Security Organisation (Socso) and Malaysia Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) which joined forces for the first time in aid of the Penang Airport Limousine Drivers Association.

To ensure the safety of the drivers, a drive-thru giveaway was held to present the aid worth RM100 each to the 100 taxi drivers.

Socso human resource head Mohd Razmi Khalid said the presentation was part of Socso’s initiative this year as the organisation was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

“This is the second state we are visiting.

“Earlier on, we handed out 200 boxes of rations at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the taxi and limo drivers there and now we are here.

The boxes of rations being taken out of a truck for distribution to members of the Penang Airport Limousine Drivers Association.

“We will soon extend this programme to Perlis, Kedah, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor and other states.

“We have a total of 900 boxes to be given out nationwide,” he said when met at Koplimo at the airport in Bayan Lepas on Friday.

Mohd Razmi said they had been collaborating with several non-governmental organisations to pool together things needed for the initiative.

“Some provided transportation while others gave rations.

“This initiative is to help our Socso members in some way during the pandemic.

“They need our help since they do not have any rides due to the travel ban,” he said.

Penang Airport Limousine Drivers Association chairman Hafizi Ahmad said it had been a difficult time for their members as they had not been getting any income.

“We have all now resorted to other part-time work but some have large families and need to repay their car loans.

“I originally had one year left to repay my car loan but have taken a four-year extension and am now paying less than half of my monthly loan repayment.

“It pains me but I need to do this to survive.

“Some others have not been able to make their payments and have had their cars repossessed or had to sell it off.

“We do try to help each other out but there is not much we can do as we are all struggling.

“Some cannot even afford to pay their Socso anymore,” he said, highlighting their plight.

George Town Socso manager Rafidah Abdul Rahim was also present.