Over 20,000 Malaysian Destitutes Assisted Through "Food for Life" Programme

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- More than 20,000 people comprising destitutes and the homeless here receive help through the 'Food For Life' programme organised by the Urban Affairs Secretariat (SHEB) of Umno Youth. Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan said the initiative was in support of government efforts to eradicate poverty by giving out food to this group in society. "About 150 to 200 packets of food are given out to them every Tuesday at the 'Masjid India' grounds after Maghrib prayers. "Besides that, free health checks are also provided, with more than 9,510 people comprising senior citizens, the disabled and poor having benefited from this service," he said after a casual meeting with traders from the Masjid India Street area, Tuesday. Also present was SHEB chairman, Tengku Azman Tengku Zainol Abidin. Ahmad, who is also deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said the 'Food For life' programme was launched in March 2010. "We hope to launch the programme in every state in future to enable more people from the targeted group to benefit from it," he said. Tengku Azman said the programme was aimed at helping the less fortunate, especially new migrants to the city looking for employment but ended up living as destitutes after they failed to get a job. "Through this programme, 2,745 homeless were sent back to their families while 4,320 others managed to get employed. "We've also set up an electoral roll checking counter which managed to register 5,920 new voters for the coming general election," he said. -- BERNAMA