SHAH ALAM, April 19 — The government has decided to extend the Aidilfitri Special Financial Aid to three more volunteer bodies, namely the Territorial Army Regiment, Armed Forces Reserve Force (PSAT) and Malaysian Maritime Volunteer Corps (PSMM).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was in response to applications submitted by these bodies.
“There were applications made for allowance for volunteers, namely territorial army volunteers (Territorial Army Regiment), armed forces volunteers (PSAT) and maritime volunteers (PSMM).
“All will come under the category of Aidilfitri aid for volunteers,” he told reporters after a walkabout to meet with traders at the PKNS Ramadan Bazaar earlier today.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry said 26,000 people from the three volunteer bodies would receive the Aidilfitri Special Financial Aid involving an allocation of RM7.8 million.
Last March 29, the government announced that more than 200,000 people comprising members of the Malaysia Volunteers Corps Department, Malaysia Civil Defence Force, police volunteers and volunteer firefighters would receive Aidilfitri financial aid of RM300 each.
Meanwhile, Anwar wants the people and leaders to work together to clean up the country from the past problems, especially those involving corruption.
He said the country’s Muslims and people cannot empower Malaysia to become a Madani nation if they are not willing to make changes at all levels, from the top to bottom.
"That's why my harsh and decisive action starts from the top because the country's system is damaged, due to the leadership at the top," he said when speaking at a breaking of fast and presentation of contributions to Tahfiz students and orphans at the Ahmadi Mosque, Kampung Rantau Panjang today.
He said that although various slogans related to Malays, Islam, unity and justice were used by previous leaders, all of them had no effect and meaning if there was no sincerity and determination to practise them.
"We entrust the leadership and the leadership keeps changing, how many prime ministers have changed over the years... but the situation is still the same, corruption is still rampant.
"So I want to change, I want Muslims in Malaysia including in Selangor to change this perception, as the leader for cooperation and responsible for cleaning the country from the mess of the past," he said.
In the meantime, Anwar also reminded the Muslims in this country to take the opportunity during the remaining days of this month of Ramadan, to continue to make this holy month a madrasah to purify each other's spirituality, as well as appreciate the lessons found in Al -Quran.
— Bernama
