YKM To Work With Elected Representatives To Aid Children Orphaned By COVID-19

JASIN, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia (YKM) will work with elected representatives across the country in an effort to obtain information to assist children who have lost their parents to COVID-19.

YKM chairman Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said so far, only around 1,000 people had registered for the monthly Bantuan Kasih aid and that he hoped more would come forward to do so.

“I believe that many still do not know how to register for the assistance channelled by YKM, particularly children who have lost their mother or father due to COVID-19, and I welcome any information about them from elected representatives in each constituency.

“Registration for the Bantuan Kasih aid is still open to those who are eligible, and we want to ensure that no one is left out of receiving the monthly contribution of RM200 for those aged 16 and below and RM250 for those aged 16 and above,” he told reporters here today.

Earlier, the former prime minister presented the Festive Aid in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration to 16-year-old S. Mittra, who lost his father to COVID-19 in February 2022 and is now living with his uncle R. Murugappan in Taman Merlimau Utara here.

Also present was Merlimau assemblyman Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who is also the State Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman.

Ismail Sabri said that, apart from Mittra, 10 Indian families nationwide would receive assistance in conjunction with Deepavali, with contributions to be deposited into their respective bank accounts starting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, he said that as of last September, YKM had channelled more than RM3 million through Bantuan Kasih, Festive Aid and Bantuan Menara Gading to eligible recipients, and the amount was expected to reach RM5 million by the end of this year.

“YKM remains committed to assisting children in their education and will keep providing contributions until they complete their studies. This reflects our ongoing commitment to the welfare and education of orphans and COVID-19-affected children,” he said.

--BERNAMA