Elderly grateful for BR1M aid
Ex-assemblyman says 70% of applicants are senior citizens
OLD folks who turned up to take their Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia Scheme (BRIM) at sekolah menengah kebangsaan Damansara Utama recently were glad to have a little cash for their medical bills.
Parvathy Kaliappan, 78, from Taman Medan said the RM500 would be just enough for her medication.
Parvathy, who suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, said she was grateful to receive free medication from government hospitals but the extra cash would come in handy as well.
“I can use the money for my expenses including the taxi fare to and from the hospital,” said Parvathy who lives with her daughter and granddaughter.
Noresah Othman, 82, from Taman Datuk Harun, said she would use the money to pay the bills when she went to a private clinic.
Noresah, who lives with her children, said she disliked asking for money from her children who were already hardpressed for cash.
“I have nine children but they all have their own families, car loans, housing loans and expenses for their children. They never fail to give me money even if it is a small sum but I hate to ask them for more. This cash will be mine and I can buy the necessary food and medication I need,” she added.
One of the oldest recipients Voon Oi Yoke, 83, was all smiles when former Damansara Utama assemblyman Datuk CK Lim presented the cash to her. Full of gratitude she shared her dreams for the money she received with glee.
“I can use this money for provisions instead of going out for meals every day. I live with my daughter and this cash will help us with our daily expenses,” she said.
These three women, were part of the second batch of successful applications for the BRIM scheme in Damansara Utama. The first batch comprising some 2,371 people were given their aid in January followed by the second batch of 1,400 approved applicants in February.
Some 600 people received their money that day from 9.30am till 5pm.
Lim said 70% of applicants were senior citizens and the response was really good ever since the scheme was announced.
“The government is showing they care for those who need it. We at Damansara Utara have also tried to make it easy for the people by having a systematic order to receive their cash,” added Lim.