KUCHING: Two hundred families here and Sibu have received essential food and personal hygiene item as part of Yayasan PETRONAS’ ‘Sentuhan Kasih’ festive programme.
In its statement today (Jan 31), Yayasan PETRONAS said 100 families in Kuching already received the aid on Jan 27 while 100 families in Sibu will receive theirs soon.
Among the aid recipients this year was Kong Gah Siong, 69, who has been suffering from schizophrenia for over 30 years.
“My brother has been living alone for more than 20 years after he divorced his wife. He used to celebrate Chinese New Year with my family. But he has stopped celebrating with us in the past two years because of Covid-19 pandemic.
“So, we are very thankful to Yayasan PETRONAS for this contribution. It will enable him to have a more meaningful celebration at his home this year,” said his brother, Fabian Kong, 64.
Another recipient Jong Nor Lee, 71, expressed his gratitude to Yayasan PETRONAS for helping to ease his financial burden in preparing for the Chinese New Year celebration this year.
“Without this aid, it would be difficult for us because we are not rich. My wife has brain cancer. We are living from hand to mouth.
“We are totally dependent on our eldest daughter to take care of our daily needs,” he said.
Jong said that he used to sell drinks at India Street market. However, due to old age he had to quit his job and relied solely on the monthly financial assistance from the welfare department.
For the record, each year, in conjunction with major celebrations in Malaysia, Yayasan PETRONAS gives basic necessities to needy people during the festive seasons.
“This year, Yayasan PETRONAS distributed the contributions worth RM355,400 to 1,460 low-income families, and beneficiaries at nine orphanages in all 13 states and two federal territories,” the statement said.
