IPOH: Perak Prihatin Card recipients were all smiles as they were handed the much-awaited assistance from the state government, which is meant to help ease their burden in facing the rising cost of living.
K. Manorama, 60, said she could heave a sigh of relief as the initially RM80-valued card, which affords her food and healthcare assistance, will be able to help her get her daily necessities.
Manorama, who lost her husband about nine years ago, lives alone in her house at Rumah Pangsa Taman Harmoni in Buntong here, and she is unable to work owing to poor health.
“I am suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid imbalance and last year, I underwent bypass surgery. My doctor told me that I could not work anymore as a result of the surgery, which left both my legs weak.
“I am relying on the assistance, amounting to RM300 monthly, from the state Welfare Department. It will definitely ease my burden,” she said after receiving the card from Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan, here.
Another recipient, Achau Tunkut, 66, from Kampung Batu Berangkai Orang Asli settlement in Kampar here, said the card is the first form of assistance that he has ever received, and he could not be more happy once he was informed that he was eligible for it.
“I am having some financial issues and it is hard to buy items these days…what should I eat if I don’t have money? It is hard to survive, but I am forever thankful for having a caring state government which has allocated RM80 per month to buy necessities and RM300 a year for healthcare.
“I used to work before, but when I look for a job these days, my application is rejected due to my age. I can’t work as I am easily tired and have no energy,” he said.
Cheah Yam Yeen, 62, who suffers from kidney problems, said he feels grateful to receive the card, which he described as a noble effort in helping hardcore poor people in the state.
“I have to go for dialysis thrice weekly and I am no longer working. This card is very useful and can help me at any time. I can now get my necessities at any grocery store. Thank you MB Peja (Ahmad Faizal),” he said.
On Tuesday, Ahmad Faizal had launched the card, which incorporates healthcare and food benefits, in the state government’s bid to help ease the burden of about 17,000 hardcore poor in Perak.
The card resembles a debit card with a monthly allocation of RM80 to allow card holders to buy their daily necessities; while RM300 would be allocated for use at listed panel clinics for a year.
The cardholders can also buy school necessities such as shoes, bags, books, stationery, as well as school uniforms. They can also buy other necessities such as diapers for babies and adults, soap, detergent.
Through an integration process, the card is now accepted at 169 grocery stores in the state.