By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
KLANG, Dec 23 — Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI has donated laptops to 16 students from low-income families in the Sentosa state constituency.
Its corporate social responsibility head Ahmad Azri Zainal Nor said the organisation spent RM20,000 to do so.
"For this instance, we supplied 16 laptop units to students who applied for them via the Sentosa state constituency's community service center.
"The programme has always been ongoing, and MBI regularly receives applications from the offices of Selangor's state constituencies. We also receive individual applications via email or letter, which are then reviewed to see if they are eligible," he said.
Ahmad Azri was speaking during the handover ceremony at the Sentosa state constituency's community service yesterday, which was also attended by its state assemblyman Dr G Gunarajah.
He added the laptop donation is the second time MBI has done so for need students in Sentosa.
[caption id="attachment_294705" align="aligncenter" width="755"]
Sentosa state assemblyman Dr G Gunarajah (left) handing a donated laptop to student M Shamilaa (centre), together with Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI corporate social responsibility head Ahmad Azri Zainal Nor (right), at the Sentosa state constituency's community service centre in Klang, on December 22, 2022. — Picture by MOHD YUSNI ARIFFIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
"The eligibility criteria to qualify for laptop assistance includes applicants from families with a monthly household income of RM4,000 and below," Ahmad Azri said.
On his part, Dr Gunarajah said the donated laptops by MBI can prevent the B40 students from being left behind in their studies as such devices are a necessity for students in their studies, including for online classes.
"Presently all students require laptops for online classes. For those unable to afford doing so, we have heard of instances where four people have no choice but to share a mobile phone between them.
"So I thank MBI for approving the applications made by Sentosa residents, as most of the families here are from the B40 category," he said.
Dr Gunarajah added that over 300 laptop applications for were received, and his office also received assistance from other parties including traders and entrepreneurs who were willing to contribute.
"Prior to this, we provided desktop computers to applying students. At the Sentosa state constituency's community service centre our education bureau will filter the applications to ensure only those eligible will receive assistance so there are no school dropouts," he said.
