KUCHING: The Sarawak Special Children Association (Perais) has urged the state government to speed up the delivery of food assistance for the disabled under the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
Its president Rapelson Richard Hamit said the food aid was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last year to ensure adequate food supply for the disabled, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and the total movement control order (MCO).
He said the association had raised funds to help the affected disabled and received response from Parti Keadilan Rakyat Sarawak (PKR Sarawak) and the public.
This food aid would be distributed starting today.
“Today, the association received 30 food baskets from PKR Sarawak under the first phase for Bengkel Seri Sarawak staff. Most of them have a daily income of RM15 and a monthly income of RM600 and below.
“The association will also distribute food baskets to the disabled who have applied for assistance from the association under the second phase starting next week.
“The donations, which will also consist of disposable diapers and milk powder, will be distributed under the second phase. The funds for the second phase are entirely from the contributions of concerned public,” he added.
On behalf of the association, Rapelson requested that the state government provide one-off assistance of RM500 to the disabled to help them face the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We would also like to request additional monthly allowance assistance for the disabled who are receiving the JKM assistance,” he said.
The food baskets today (June 19) were handed over by Sarawak PKR Women secretary Cherishe Ng to a representative of Bengkel Seri Sarawak, Donny Sa, who was also the deputy president of Perais.
The food baskets were also handed over by PKR Batu Lintang Branch Head Dominique Ng to Perais’ secretary general Fadelize Givan Annuar Putit.
The handover ceremony was witnessed by Rapelson and PKR Stampin Branch Head David Chow.
“We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to PKR Sarawak and concerned people who have contributed to help the disabled during this difficult period,” said Rapelson.
