No plans yet to use coupon in distribution of food aid

THE Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has no plans yet to use coupons in the distribution of food aid to target groups.

Its deputy minister, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, said this was because the ministry, through the Social Welfare Department (JKM), had provided forms of aid and assistance, including food supplies, allowances and services.

“The aid is given to fill the need for food and subsistence. There are also private foundations like MyKasih that give out RM80 for grocery shopping at certain supermarkets,” she said during the Dewan Negara sitting here.

Chew said this in response to a supplementary question from Senator Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor who wanted to know whether the ministry intended to give aid to families in need in the form of coupons.

To the original question from Mohd Anwar on plans to increase the cost of living allowance from RM300 a month to RM500, Chew said the rate was finalised after taking into consideration the current situation and was not meant to cover the overall living expenses as it was only a temporary measure to help the target groups.

She explained, in a bid to improve the living condition of the target groups through a ‘ productive welfare’ approach, the government had also arranged job placements with selected employers and provided suitable skills and training to enable them to be self- employed. — Bernama