20,000 students have benefited from Umno aid

SEMPORNA: The ‘Umno Bantu Rakyat’ aid programme organised by the party’s welfare bureau (BiKUM) with a RM2million allocation has benefited about 20,000 students in Sabah.

Its chairman Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the programme was Umno’s initiative to help its target groups, including registering students in the national education savings scheme (SSPN).

“In addition, BiKUM has also allocated RM1.2 million to Sabah for various other aids, including contributions of food kits,” he told reporters after the launch of the Umno Bantu Rakyat 2.0 programme by Semporna Umno division acting head Datuk Seri Nasir Tun Sakaran here yesterday.

He said about 1,000 students in Semporna had registered with SSPN while an additional RM120,000 was allocated for food kits for the poor.

Shamsul who is also Umno Supreme Council member said the current government was consistent in wanting to help the people, “and this is Umno’s branding”.

“That is why the people should not gamble their future and place their hopes on (opposition) parties which have no direction, no agenda (to help the people).

“I believe the people know they should vote for the Barisan Nasional (BN) government which has an excellent track record for developing the country, including infrastructure, economy and education,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nasir said BN was capable of defending all its seats in the Semporna parliamentary constituency as the people know it was sincere in helping them, and would not vote for the opposition based on an individual’s popularity.

“Umno’s entry into this state has brought many benefits to the people, including saving Sabah from the politics of division,” he said. - Bernama