Bakul Prihatin Negara food baskets make their way to needy nationwide
Applications come barely 24 hours after launch of Bakul Prihatin Negara
THE Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has received 4,027 applications for the Bakul Prihatin Negara programme, barely 24 hours after the programme was launched.
Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said of the total, 1,929 applications were through calls to the Social Welfare Department (JKM) operation rooms nationwide.
“Another 1,359 and 739 applications were received through Talian Kasih 15999 and WhatsApp respectively.
“We expect the number of applications to increase from time to time. Most of the applicants were those who lost their jobs and have no fixed income to support themselves and their families,” she said in a press conference yesterday.
Earlier, Rina handed out food baskets to two recipients; a person with disability Safrizal Muim, 62, and single mother Low Pui Fun, 47, at Kampung Datuk Keramat and Seksyen 2 Wangsa Maju, here.
Present was JKM acting director-general Fatimah Zuraidah Salleh.
Rina said the application for food baskets was open to all in the country in need of food aid.
“Shortly after the Bakul Prihatin Negara programme was launched, we didn’t wait for long and immediately started distributing food baskets to applicants.
“We have eased the process without the need for us to review all the applications. Applicants only need to provide complete details. However, we do hope that the people will be responsible.
“Apply only if you really need it,” she said, adding that only one application per family was allowed.
Rina said the distribution of Bakul Prihatin Negara was coordinated by Skuad Prihatin Negara nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak.
She said the programme was a continuation of the stimulus package by the government, such as Perlindungan Ekonomi dan Rakyat Malaysia and Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi.
“Since the implementation of the Movement Control Order last year, the government via the Welfare Department has distributed over 1.5 million food baskets.”
Rina said the Bakul Prihatin Negara programme was an initiative by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who wanted to make sure that no Malaysians were without food.
Rina said the ministry welcomed companies wishing to contribute to the programme.
She said RM16 million in contributions had been received from various companies.
Fatimah said applications for food baskets could be submitted through various channels, including via JKM operation rooms in 108 districts nationwide.
“They can also call Talian Kasih at 15999, or send a WhatsApp message to 019-2615999.
“Applications can be submitted through the ministry and JKM social media, namely Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.”