By Nas Norziela Nasbah
SHAH ALAM, Dec 27 — A state government lawmaker is taking a hands-on approach to disseminating information to senior citizens in his constituency pertaining to the Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE) financial aid.
Balakong assemblyman Ong Chun Wei said he is going to the ground to promote the scheme after he realised many elderly people are still unaware of the initiative under Iltizam Selangor Penyayang (ISP).
“In view of this, I have decided to consistently publicise SMUE,” he said.
According to Ong, approximately 20,000 of the some 104,000 eligible voters in Balakong are senior citizens.
The DAP man said his service centre also distributes aid to those in need via a house-to-house visit, based on public information.
He added that his office is constantly in contact with the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) to seek more Jualan Ehsan Rahmah (JER) affordable sales programmes to be organised in the constituency.
“We are always delighted if a slot is given by PKPS to organise JER in Balakong, as this will directly reduce the expenses of the low-income group.”
Previously, on November 14, state executive councillor for welfare Anfaal Saari had said that there has been a three-fold increase in the number of applications for SMUE following the state government’s decision to increase the Jom Shopping voucher from RM100 to RM150 this year.
She said a total of 110,566 senior citizens had applied for the scheme as of October, compared to 29,777 recipients throughout the whole of last year
