About 300 less fortunate, disabled benefit through caring programme

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Permatang Pauh Umno division has handed out RM150,000 through its caring programme "Sentuhan Kasih" throughout this year to help the less fortunate in the constituency.
Permatang Pauh Umno chief Datuk Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said said, as many as 300 local residents received aid in the form of cash and necessities through the programme.
"Most of the beneficiaries were from the underprivileged, elderly and disabled group, and we hope the aid can ease their burden. Maybe next year the Umno division will increase its allocation to help more people in need," he told reporters after launching the Permatang Pauh "Sentuhan Kasih" programme here, today.
Around 2,000 people attended the event that was held at the Sekolah Menengah Agama Faqiah Daimiah in Permatang Pauh, here, today.
Among the various programmes held were gotong royong (to curb the spread of Dengue), paint houses, and also a premier "asyura" porridge cooking competition.
Mohd Zaidi said that in conjunction with the programme, the Federal Development office in the state had allocated RM50,000 to help the community in the area.
"Among help provided was rental for the poor, food baskets for five families, wiring restoration for seven houses by GiatMara and donations to 100 government pensioners comprising army personnel, police and teachers in the Permatang Pauh constituency," he said.
He said the federal government had never marginalised the community in Permatang Pauh even though it was represented by the opposition member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. – Bernama