Dr Quah (third from right) receiving blessings from the lion dance troupe at his service centre. Looking on are (from right) Abd Hamid and Ng, and Teng (second from left). — Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
A TOTAL of 550 Bandar Baru Klang senior citizens received Jom Shopping vouchers under Selangor government’s Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE) programme in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
SMUE aims to improve the quality of life of senior citizens who are in need, including through the distribution of RM200 shopping vouchers.
Bandar Baru Klang assemblyman Dr Quah Perng Fei revealed this during a Lunar New Year open house at his service centre.
The voucher recipients had earlier applied for the aid at his centre.
“Citizens aged 60 and above who have lived in Selangor for at least 15 years, as well as registered voters in the state with a household income of RM3,000 and below, are eligible,” he said.
SMUE vouchers can only be claimed once a year and are for use at designated stores.
Dr Quah hoped the aid would help recipients celebrate Chinese New Year on a more joyful note.
SMUE is aimed at assisting low-income and needy groups in all 56 Selangor constituencies where an estimated 23,400 vouchers had been distributed for Chinese New Year.
An estimated 1,300 locals of various races thronged the open house where street food like rojak, nasi lemak, char kuey teow, popiah, asam laksa, cendol and satay were served.
Also present were Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran, former Bandar Baru Klang assemblyman Datuk Teng Chang Khim and Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain.
Ng, in his speech, said he was pleased to see the spirit of goodwill among different sections of society.
“It shows that we live in a harmonious multiracial society.”
In addition to tossing yee sang, guests were entertained with a lion dance performance as well as traditional Chinese music performed by an ensemble.