Senior citizens receiving bags of rice during the event held at the Kedah Road Flats in George Town, Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
A YEARLY tradition of helping the aged community in the Jalan Kedah area in Penang, saw more than 400 needy senior citizens receiving goodies.
The event at the Kedah Road Flats saw the senior citizens holding and waving the Jalur Gemilang as they waited for their turn.
Held for those aged above 60, the event, which has been in practice since 1987, used to have about 80 recipients but the number has since grown.
Jalan Kedah Rukun Tetangga (RT) and Keluarga Malaysia community (KKM) chairman Tay Chye Hock said the event was held to show the senior citizens that they were not forgotten or neglected.
“We want to make them feel included.
“This year, the senior citizens received 5kg bag of rice and an ang pow,” he explained.
Tay said registration was held a week before the event and on the day itself, people had started waiting as early as midnight to collect the token.
“They spent the night here which is heartbreaking as they are above 60.
“Those who are eligible must be above 60 and have some form of ailment,” said Tay.
He added that they planned on holding as many programmes as possible to aid the community in the area.
“For the past two years, we could not hold anything due to the Covid-19 pandemic but now that things are much better, we are able to hold the programme.
“We decided we needed to resume the programme as we realised they needed aid.
“We do not hold luncheons or dinners as it is just one meal for them. It is better to provide rations instead,” he said.
Tay said the event was a collaboration between Jalan Kedah RT and KKM as well as the state information department.
“The whole cost was around RM15,000, with a RM10,000 contribution from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow while the rest came from donors,” he said.
