By Malcolm Lau
KUCHING, Dec 21: The federal government welcomes effort from the private sector to carry out their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme to help the low income group.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen said it is the government’s attention to help ease the burden of the rakyat in light of the increased cost of living.
With the opening of the new school year looming, programmes to help parents, especially those in the B40 group, to acquire schooling materials, books and school uniforms for their children, are encouraged.
Chong expressed gratitude to AEON Mall Kuching for its “Back-to-school” CSR programme today, in subsidising schooling materials and uniforms for the needy.
At the programme, 170 children received school necessities. Recipients were also given the choice to pick school bags, pencil case, writing materials and other necessities of up to RM200 per person.
“The government wishes to help parents by easing their burden, especially during the festive season and reopening of the new school year.
“Today’s event is not only to share the joy of Christmas but also to help to ease the burden on the cost of living. This also takes into account that a family needs to fork up for extra expenses for their children especially at the end of the year,” he said at the event.
He lauded AEON’s Mall gesture in carrying out their CSR programme, saying that the corporation has been cooperative with the government in such programmes.
“Subsidies and social assistance for this year is RM22.3 billion and next year, it will be increased to RM24.3 billion. The subsidies will be increased in various forms to help the people cope with the cost of living,” Chong said. — DayakDaily
