KUCHING: Twenty-six blind masseurs of the Society of the Blind in Malaysia (SBM) Sarawak received food assistance from corporate bodies through the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development (KWKPK) yesterday (Nov 9).
Present to hand out the assistance to the recipients was KWKPK Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Fatimah said the blind masseurs were also among those affected, both livelihood and business, by Covid-19.
“I received a call from the society’s chairman, informing me that the blind masseurs — including those involving in other businesses — were greatly affected during the pandemic.
“I understand that the Covid-19 pandemic and the movement control order (MCO) indeed has given an impact on business sectors, not only in the state but also the country,” she said at a handover ceremony at Sarawak Social Welfare Department in Majma Mall here.
Fatimah also expressed her gratitude to Sarawak Women Council for their efforts to seek those who are willing to donate food.
Aside from that, Fatimah also mentioned the various assistance for the people with disabilities (OKU) under the 2021 Budget which was tabled by both state and federal government.
SBM Sarawak chairman Isak Ngau thanked the ministry and Fatimah for the assistance.
“I also want to thank the state government for caring about people like us (OKU) and making sure that we are not left behind and forgotten,” he said.
Isak also hopes that the state government will provide special grants for OKU who want to start a business.
“I hope the state government and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg take this into consideration by providing special incentives for us (OKU),” he added.
