YKM allocates RM5 million this year to assist 1,000 orphans who lost their parents to Covid-19

JOHOR BAHRU - The Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia (YKM) has allocated RM5 million this year to assist approximately 1,000 orphans who lost their parents to Covid-19 across the country.

YKM chairman Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that assistance is provided on a monthly and one-off basis to those eligible, including during festive seasons.

He noted that in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, 11 families nationwide will receive a one-off aid of RM300, with a total allocation of RM5,000.

"The assistance will begin to be credited starting today into their respective bank accounts," he said during a press conference after presenting a contribution to a family in conjunction with the Chinese New Year in Larkin today.

In the meantime, he added that YKM will also implement a free online tuition programme that will benefit 54 students who are set to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) nationwide.

He said the initiative, expected to begin next week, is a step taken by YKM to place specific emphasis on improving the educational standards of these children.

Earlier, Ismail Sabri handed over one-off aid of RM300 each to two orphans, Soh Zhe Hong, 18, and Soh Zhe Qi, 16.

Loke Kim Yen, 51, whose husband passed away due to Covid-19 in 2021, supports her two school-going children through her income as a piano teacher of 25 years, in addition to receiving approximately RM2,000 a month from the Social Security Organisation's (Socso) 24/7 Protection Scheme.

"I feel very grateful for this contribution; I didn't expect the aid to be delivered directly to my home," she said adding that the assistance provides her family with a sense of encouragement and cheer as they prepare to celebrate the Chinese New Year. - BERNAMA