There were smiles all around among members of 72 families who received Deepavali aid from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
Mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said, “Together, we happily celebrate all kinds of festivals.
“In fact, Petaling Jaya won the Happiest City award from Housing and Local Government Ministry this year.”
Alongside deputy mayor Aznan Hassan, Mohamad Zahri handed out cash donations of RM300 each to 60 families.
The remaining 12 families received used goods of their choice and RM300 vouchers under the “Program Jalinan Kasih 3R PJKITA” recycling and reusing awareness programme.
The 60 families who received cash aid were registered under MBPJ’s Urban Poverty Eradication Programme.
According to an MBPJ media statement, these families were selected based on the e-Kasih national poverty database.
The 12 families receiving contributions under the 3R programme were recommended by councillors.
The Deepavali contributions were part of MBPJ’s annual move to help reduce the burden of B40 families.
Prioritised families were those with a household income of RM2,589 and below.
Families headed by single mothers, those consisting of senior citizens or children with disabilities as well as large families also received urgent care.
The city council described the move as a way to nurture community compassion and unity, in line with its plan for Petaling Jaya to be an inclusive city.
Also present were MBPJ councillor Suriase Gengiah and MBPJ Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Department director Zain Azly Abdul Rahman.
