PETRONAS celebrates CNY with Sentuhan Kasih recipients in Sabah

James (centre) presenting a food package to one of the recipients as Siti Ayu (second right) and other state officials look on.

KOTA KINABALU: Underprivileged families received food packages and festive hampers contributed by PETRONAS in conjunction with Chinese New Year celebrations on Saturday (Feb 4).

The contributions were given under the Sentuhan Kasih Festive Programme, an initiative by its social impact management arm, Yayasan PETRONAS.

The Lunar New Year celebration and presentation ceremony at Dewan Seri Wawasan in Kampung Pimping in the southwestern Membakut sub-district, was attended by Sabah Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib.

During the event, James handed over the items to five of a total of 100 Sentuhan Kasih Festive Programme recipients who were earlier identified by the state Social Welfare Department (JPKA) around Membakut.

JPKA would arrange for the distribution of the remaining contributions to the rest of the recipients.

Head of PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan, Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab said the Sentuhan Kasih Festive Programme was an annual programme carried out by Yayasan PETRONAS.

This programme was in conjunction with major celebrations in Malaysia namely Chinese New Year, Aidilfitri, Kaamatan, Gawai, Deepavali and Christmas, she added.

In conjunction with Chinese New Year this year, Yayasan PETRONAS is giving out a total of 2,000 food packages throughout the country, including 100 in Sabah and 50 in Labuan.

The Sentuhan Kasih Festive Programme is part of Yayasan PETRONAS’ community well-being and development focus area, in line with PETRONAS’ Sustainability Agenda.

Earlier on, James visited nearby Kampung Tamoi and handed over an adjustable bed to one of the villagers there.

This item was part of a total of 405 adjustable beds contributed by Yayasan PETRONAS in Sabah since last year in support of JPKA’s Home Ward Programme which aimed to provide care for the elderly as well as people with disabilities and the chronically ill in their home environment.

“I hope the contribution can support the caretakers in assisting their family members who are recuperating at home while at the same time helping JPKA in providing for those in need,” said Siti Ayu.

Also present was Community Wellbeing and People’s Development Assistant Minister Datuk Flovia Ng, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry Datuk Lee Chun Kiong and JPKA director Jais Asri, among others.