By Nadiah Zamlus
GOMBAK, March 10 — A total of 68,000 food baskets were distributed to the people in the state since January, said Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
According to him, the assistance was channelled to individuals whose income were affected when the movement control order (MCO) was enforced for the second time.
“This assistance is still ongoing and we will continue to look for people whose income were affected by this MCO.
“Apart from rice, flour and cooking oil, the state government also donates chicken, fish and vegetables to the recipients,” he said.
He was speaking after handing over food baskets to bus and taxi drivers at the Kampung Melayu Batu Caves Open Hall here yesterday.
Meanwhile, a recipient, Ab Rahim Md Said, 69, said the basic food donation helped reduce his burden after his monthly income was severely affected due to the MCO.
“Before this, I could earn at least RM3,000 a month, but now it is difficult to even earn RM1,000 a month.
“Thank you to the state government for willing to provide food assistance, now my wife and I can have a supply of food,” he said.
Taxi driver Subramaniam Gurunathan, 68, admitted that he had not been able to save money since March last year due to a lack of income.
“I’ve been driving a taxi for 13 years, this is the worst time ever. Before this, if I get extra income, I could save a little in the bank and use the rest to spend on food.
“But this time I could no longer do it anymore, but we are lucky because there is a caring government that provides food aid to fill our stomach,” he said.
A 65-year-old taxi driver, Chan Yon Tap, has twice received assistance from the Selangor government when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country.
“Before this, I received a voucher, this time I got food aid, thank you for not forgetting us,” he said.
Earlier, Amirudin informed that bus and taxi drivers in the state will receive food basket assistance for six months through the Kita Selangor Package.
Through the Kita Selangor Package, the Selangor Government has allocated RM4.35 million to implement the Food Basket programme for those affected by the Covid-19 impact.
