Umno aid programme not geared at fishing for votes in GE14

NIBONG TEBAL: The 'Umno Bantu Rakyat' (Umno Assists People) programme being carried out nationwide is not aimed at fishing for votes in the coming 14th general election, but is the party's continuous effort of helping those in need.
Its Welfare Bureau chairman, Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (pix) said Umno had been channelling various forms of assistance to the people regardless of time and not only when a general election was approaching.
"There are people who say that Umno is going down to the ground now because of the approaching general election, which is not true as we have been consistently helping the people.
"Moreover, this is not a new programme and we have proven of really going down to the ground to hear the problems and needs of the people all the time," he told reporters after the launching of the welfare aid programme in Penang, here, today.
It was launched by Penang Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman who also flagged off the convoy of 30 four-wheel-drive vehicles to continue their journey to Kedah, the fifth state after Penang, Perak, Selangor and the Federal Territory.
The tour involves 21 selected locations including Sabah until June 1.
Meanwhile, Shamsul Anuar who is also an Umno Supreme Council member, said 500 people in Penang received various aid from an allocation of RM527,000 channelled by the party's Welfare Bureau.
He said the aid included contributions to open (SSPN-i) and Tabung Haji savings accounts, daily essentials for single mothers and orphans, and Aidilfitri special contributions.
"We also give monthly monetary aid to patients with chronic diseases to help them lessen the burden of paying their medical costs," he added. — Bernama