Indian B40 individuals receive RM80 food aid

The Socio-Economic Development of Indian Community Unit (Sedic), an agency under the Prime Minister's Department, today launched a programme to provide an RM80 monthly handout for the poor among the Indian Malaysian community.

Recipients under the 'Indian Welfare Programme' will receive the sum as stored value in their MyKad from the MyKasih Foundation, which can be used for selected items in participating Giant, The Store and Econsave stores throughout the country.

Around 105 individuals received the handouts at the launch today in Giant Kota Damansara.

MIC central committee member P Kamalanathan, who was present at the launch, said that it would provide aid to as many as 100,000 from the Indian Malaysian community to fulfil their basic needs.

"This RM80 handout will be credited to their MyKad, and each item purchased will be debited from that amount at participating stores.

"Approximately RM24 million has been provided to implement this programme for 100,000 Indians over the next three months,” he said.

Sedic deputy director-general Mano Verabathran said that approximately 20,000 Indian Malaysians earning under RM1,500 a month are already registered as IB40 with the programme, with the remaining 80,000 to be identified by July.

A Annjela, 60, a retired security officer from Hospital Sungai Buloh, said she registered as IB40 with Sedic since she is suffering from asthma and is unable to work.

Already having to spend nearly RM300 a month, she said that the RM80 would help with the grocery bills.

M Thulasimalar, a 36-year-old mother of three from Lembah Subang, who works as a supervisor in a mall, said she would use the handout when times are desperate.

The MIB, which was launched by caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in April last year, is also aimed at increasing the educational levels of the Indian Malaysian community, and provide them with more job opportunities. - Mkini