IPOH: The state government plans to give the 5,000 hardcore poor families some cash and groceries this week in view of the rising cost of foodstuff.

Each household will receive RM100 and RM100 worth of groceries, made up of 30kg of rice, 5kg of sugar and 2kg of cooking oil, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said yesterday.

The hardcore poor cover families, including single mothers, who earned less than RM420 a month.

The decision to give this aid was reached at Wednesday's state executive councillors meeting.

Mohammad Nizar said the state government sympathised with the poor who were burdened by the rising prices of rice and other essential items.
He hoped welfare institutions, non-governmental organisations and the private sector would join the state government in helping these people.

They can contact the state treasurer's office to give donations. Donors can also send cheques to the Perak State Treasurer.