KUALA LUMPUR: For 50 underprivileged families, the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration tomorrow has added significance, for they know they have not been forgotten.
They were given food baskets to help them mark the occasion.
“I can use it to prepare food for my family,” said Siti Robiah, one of the recipients.
Another recipient, Fazli Nizam, voiced his gratitude, saying, “This can ease the financial strain of preparing for the celebration.”
The food baskets were courtesy of Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd to mark the opening of the Mydin Mart Pantai Dalam, which is its 69th branch.
This convenience store, which spans 4,617 sq ft (430 sq m), offers a variety of daily necessities including fresh produce.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, was present at the event yesterday to hand over the donations.
Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said the company had a mission to help those in need, such as those from the lower-income group.
“We are well aware of the high cost of living,” he said.
As such, the company’s Mydin Prihatin initiative wanted to provide food baskets to these 50 families who were identified in collaboration with the Lembah Pantai MP’s office, he added.
On another matter, Fahmi spoke about the rationalisation of diesel subsidies.
He said the country “lost” two billion litres of subsidised diesel valued at about RM3.5bil last year.
“This massive loss underscores the extent of smuggling activities,” he added.
Fahmi stressed that the government is committed to halting these illegal activities and warned traders against exploiting the subsidy reforms to unjustifiably raise prices.
The law, he said, would be enforced to stop smuggling and fraud.
Furthermore, he said, the Price Catcher mobile application by the Domestic and Cost of Living Ministry would enable consumers to compare prices and make informed purchases.
Fahmi emphasised the importance of accessible and affordable products for the people.
“We urge everyone to support local products and use government-developed technology to be savvy consumers,” he said.
