Govt launches Keluarga Malaysia squad to help those affected by Covid-19 pandemic

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has launched the “Keluarga Malaysia” squad that will coordinate all the mechanisms of aid delivery all around the country, so that no one is left behind.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the squad will be led by the Social Welfare Department under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

He said that the squad would be a collaboration of agencies under various ministries, the private sector, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

"For Friday's (Oct 8) launch, about 10,000 individuals are ready to be mobilised to every corner of the country to help those affected by the pandemic. This number is expected to increase when more ministries and agencies, as well as volunteers register themselves," he said in a speech on Friday (Oct 8) during the soft launch of the Keluarge Malaysia concept at Angkasapuri.

He said that to ensure the success of the Keluarga Malaysia concept, every ministry and agency were identifying suitable products to be adopted as part of efforts to help the people.

"This is a step to inculcate a culture of service that is performance-oriented to alleviate the burden of Malaysian families who need help and support," he said.

Also present at the event were members of the Cabinet and government officials.

Ismail Sabri first mentioned the "Malaysian Family" approach in his inaugural speech as Prime Minister on Aug 22, as he invited Malaysians to set aside their differences and come together to lift the country to greater heights and help realise the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.

He said that the "Malaysian Family" is an inclusive concept that cuts across religious, ethnic and racial boundaries and invites Malaysians to come together as a unified family.

The official launch of Malaysian Family is scheduled to take place on Oct 22 in Kuching, Sarawak.