BUTTERWORTH: Welfare policies must continue to be strengthened to ensure that those facing hardship, misfortune or difficult circumstances receive the support and protection they need, says the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister.
Steven Sim (pic) said a state’s progress and prosperity must go hand in hand with efforts to safeguard the well-being of the people, as not everyone experienced the same circumstances in life.
“Life has its ups and downs. So when the people of Penang face hardship, difficulties or misfortune, welfare policies must be in place to support and care for them,” he said at the One Hope Charity Tautan Kasih event held here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Also present were Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib and wife Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah.
Sim said welfare initiatives were important in building a compassionate society and strengthening unity among Malaysians of different races and religions.
He cited One Hope Charity as an example of an organisation fulfilling this role by mobilising a network of businesses and donors to assist people regardless of race, religion or politics.
Sim said the organisation, which began as a small initiative in Bukit Mertajam, has grown into one of Penang and Malaysia’s largest welfare organisations, distributing at least RM20mil in aid to the community annually.
One Hope Charity founder and chairman Datuk Chua Sui Hau said more than 10,000 families received assistance under this year’s Tautan Kasih programme, with an expenditure of about RM3.5mil.
He said each family received assistance worth about RM320, comprising essential goods and daily necessities, as well as RM200.
Chua said that between 2021 and 2025, the charity channelled more than RM100mil to assist patients with medical treatment, support government hospitals, provide medical equipment and implement various welfare programmes.
To mark the organisation’s 25th anniversary next year, he said various welfare initiatives worth about RM30mil were being planned, including expanding the Medical Assistance and Tautan Kasih programmes, upgrading equipment and facilities at government hospitals, and strengthening community health initiatives.
