KUALA LUMPUR: Let us all come together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri urged Malaysians.“Right now, our focus must be on helping people who are facing difficulties and on strategies to combat the pandemic,” he told reporters after visiting the Kerinchi People’s Housing Project (PPR) here, which was placed under the enhanced movement control order.
He said each MP in the 222 parliamentary constituencies had been allocated with RM300,000 to distribute food aid to those in need in their respective areas.
He said since January, over 500,000 food baskets had been distributed to those in need nationwide through the Welfare Department.Under the Kasih Prihatin programme, the government had allocated RM100mil involving a contribution of RM100 per person to about 300,000 people, which would be distributed from this month to September, he added.
He urged those in need and facing hardship to inform the Welfare Department or the service centres of their respective MPs.
“If anyone is facing hardship, assistance should be given as soon as possible. We don’t want anyone to go without food or necessities as there are many avenues to provide aid,” he added.
Ismail Sabri also commended NGOs for helping to distribute food and other necessities for the needy.
“I was informed that some NGOs are facing restrictions in distributing aid due to Covid-19 standard operating procedures and I will assist them on this matter,” he said.
“I’ll discuss it with the relevant authorities. I’m also prepared to meet the NGOs to hear their grouses.”He was also thankful to the public, especially netizens who highlighted the plight of others, enabling them to get the assistance needed.
“Thank you to all Malaysians who are helping each other. I believe we can curb the virus if we work together,” he added.
On the Kerinchi PPR, Ismail Sabri said the area had 1,732 housing units and 6,890 residents.
“So far, the Welfare Department has distributed 2,000 food baskets to the area while NGOs have donated 750,” he said, adding that more food baskets would be sent out.
In Melaka, about 400 individuals received food baskets under the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry’s (Mafi) Prihatin programme, which were handed over in Jasin by Deputy Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah and managed by the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP), Bernama reported.
In a statement, LPP corporate affairs division said the Mafi Prihatin food baskets, which included rice, oil, flour and milk, were handed over to 300 fishermen and 100 Merlimau Polytechnic students.
According to the statement, the food donation was presented through the Melaka LPP to the chairman of the Serkam Pantai Fishermen’s Association, Mohd Sah Hashim, and the president of the Student Representative Council of Merlimau Polytechnic, Norhakim Ali.The brief presentation was held in accordance with the SOP set by the National Security Council, it said.
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