By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
AMPANG, Oct 17 — Some 800 Jom Shopping vouchers were given to the B40 members of the Indian community in the Pandan Indah state constituency for the upcoming Deepavali festival.
Its state assemblyman Izham Hashim said the vouchers were handed out at the Giant Pandan Kapital supermarket.
"Asides from the vouchers, we also took the additional initiative of distributing food baskets in the form of daily necessities, including murukku flour.
"Some residents who are not voucher recipients came to the community service centre office needing help, so we gave them food baskets," he said during the Jelajah Ehsan Rakyat roadshow at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Field parking area yesterday.
Izham added that RM10 coupons will also be given to visitors celebrating Deepavali, for use at affordable necessities sales.
"This is part of our effort to help lighten their burdens and recipients can save doubly since they get a RM10 discount in addition to buying items at more affordable prices," he said.
The Jom Shopping Raya initiative was introduced by the state government for those from the low-income B40 group, aimed at upholding the people's welfare and well-being.
The aid is handed over at community service centres for each state constituency, based on the ethnic group and festival in question.
For this year, RM8 million has been allocated for Jom Shopping Raya for all festivals, of which RM3.34 million was reserved for Hari Raya Aidilfitri in May.
