Jamaliah (second from right) checking out the food aid vending machine at Kayu Ara Flats.
THE first B40 food aid vending machines in Selangor were launched at the Kayu Ara Flats in Petaling Jaya.
Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said vending machines utilised less manpower while providing 24-hour access to essential items.
She said that 100 residents from the flats were identified as beneficiaries after discussions with community leaders and the joint management body.
An ewallet will be set up for eligible residents, with RM100 credited each month into their accounts.
Residents will be able to utilise the credited amount via a PIN sent to their mobile phone.
Jamaliah said unused credit would be transferred to other recipients after 30 days.
Resident Jubaidah Tarmidi, 61, said the vending machines were convenient as she would be able to save time and money.
“I am grateful because I cannot always afford to travel to buy essentials,” she said.
The machines are stocked with non-perishable food, medicine and personal hygiene items.
The total allocation of RM30,000 for the food aid programme came from the assemblyman’s office under a three-month pilot project.
“If this project is workable, it will allow us to use technology to help people more efficiently,” said Jamaliah,
The project is a collaboration with Allegra Technologies Sdn Bhd, a social enterprise that had previously installed similar vending machines in Kuala Lumpur to serve B40 communities.
The company’s managing director Chow Ka Mun said the vending machines were also capable of providing services and this could potentially become a feature in the future.
“We are discussing with healthcare providers to explore the possibility of offering medical services,” he said.
Residents can seek health consultation after scanning a QR code displayed on the vending machines, he added.
