By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
GOMBAK, Jan 15 — Recipients of the Sungai Tua state constituency Jom Shopping Chinese New Year vouchers say the assistance helps lighten their burden in preparing for the celebrations next week.
Lorry driver Ong Yin Hean, 64, said the RM200 voucher was very helpful to people like him to cover expenses in preparation for the festival.
“This RM200 voucher may seem little to those with large salaries, but for me, it is very helpful in preparing for Chinese New Year.
“I will use it to buy food items such as rice and oranges. Hopefully, this effort can continue next year because it is very helpful,” he said.
Ong is one of over 300 shopping voucher recipients which were presented by the Gombak Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) leader Husaini Yunos at Pasaraya Giant Batu Caves, here today.
For housewife Tan Kim Moy, 58, who received the voucher for the first time, said she was very excited to shop for festive items.
“This voucher means a lot to me because I can buy food items in preparation for Chinese New Year. Usually, I would have to use my own money, but this time I feel like I had gotten a huge fortune,” she said.
Meanwhile, retiree Chan Seng Chai, 60, said he did not expect his application to be approved because many others had applied.
“I think this is a Chinese New Year’s fortune for me, so I want to use it to buy essentials in preparations for the festival,” he said.
The 2023 Selangor Budget has allocated RM16.48 million for the provisions of Jom Shopping vouchers in conjunction with various festivals, which will benefit 82,400 recipients.
The programme is an aid implemented in conjunction with the three main festivals, namely, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year and Deepavali to ease the burden of low-income families to buy necessities for the celebration.
The voucher value has also increased from RM100 to RM200 following the economic situation and the needs of the people.
