RM100 million for 300,000 poor urban families to buy food

KUALA LUMPUR: An allocation of RM100 million will be provided for families, particularly the poor in urban areas, to buy food through cashless payments.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was expected to benefit more than 300,000 poor households in major cities across the country.

He also said the government would strive to ensure that all sections of the community were assisted, including the homeless.

“As such, Kuala Lumpur City Hall has taken the initiative to establish Anjung Kelana in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur, as a temporary shelter,” he said.

On public health, Muhyiddin said the MySalam initiative had benefited more than 70,000 people in the B40 income group affected by Covid-19, with an RM40 million payout.

He said to enhance this scheme, the B40 workers who had to be isolated at home after testing positive for Covid-19 would be eligible for an income replacement of RM50 per day up to 14 days, subject to confirmation from a medical officer.

“In addition, the Free Mobile Clinic Programme involves providing basic treatment and free health screening, especially for the urban vulnerable, to ensure that their health and wellbeing are taken care of.

“Currently, the MyMedic@ Wilayah under City Hall provides mobile clinic services to the underprivileged at People’s Housing Projects and public housing areas, as well as treatment to chronic and bedridden patients.

“As such, RM30 million will be allocated to expand these health services nationwide through the Higher Education Ministry’s KPT Prihatin, Komuniti Sejahtera programme, in collaboration with medical experts from university teaching hospitals,” he added.

Muhyiddin also said the Social Welfare Department would appoint an additional 2,500 officers under the Short-Term Employment Programme (MyStep) to ensure that the assistance reached those in need.