KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says the
government has a moral responsibility to help Malaysians who have fallen
upon hard times or who just need a bit of a helping hand.
The prime minister said meeting that responsibility was the mark of a civilised society.
He illustrated this point by highlighting his encounter with jobless Teoh Yong King whose house was razed to the ground in a fire, during his visit to Nibong Tebal, Penang, last month.
Najib noted that Teoh had been forced to stay at a temple for the past three months with her family, and that being jobless, she could not afford a new place for the family to stay, and sought help.
"Although she received none in the beginning, she did not lose hope, and continued with her efforts to make her plight known," he said in his latest entry on his blogsite, www.1Malaysia.com.
Najib said her plight was brought to the attention of his local political colleagues who went on to build a new house in place of the old one and help replace household items lost in the fire.
Najib, who described Teoh as a remarkable lady who had stood against all difficulties and hardship to help her family survive, said he was touched by her story.
"All of this would not have come about without her unwavering determination," he said.
Najib said this episode was just one local example of the Barisan Nasional government's determination to help those in need.
On a national level, Najib said, the Barisan Nasional government had already put in place several programmes to help low-income families like Teoh's.
Addressing the rising cost of living has been made one of the seven NKRAs (National Key Result Areas) in line with the Government Transformation Programme (GTP).
"Financial aid packages for low-income households, book vouchers and aid for students are provided to the public. 1Malaysia clinics, convenience stores and restaurants are also available as a cheaper alternative without compromising on quality," he said.
He said the implementation of a minimum wage in the near future will also increase the income of over 400,000 employees.
The prime minister said meeting that responsibility was the mark of a civilised society.
He illustrated this point by highlighting his encounter with jobless Teoh Yong King whose house was razed to the ground in a fire, during his visit to Nibong Tebal, Penang, last month.
Najib noted that Teoh had been forced to stay at a temple for the past three months with her family, and that being jobless, she could not afford a new place for the family to stay, and sought help.
"Although she received none in the beginning, she did not lose hope, and continued with her efforts to make her plight known," he said in his latest entry on his blogsite, www.1Malaysia.com.
Najib said her plight was brought to the attention of his local political colleagues who went on to build a new house in place of the old one and help replace household items lost in the fire.
Najib, who described Teoh as a remarkable lady who had stood against all difficulties and hardship to help her family survive, said he was touched by her story.
"All of this would not have come about without her unwavering determination," he said.
Najib said this episode was just one local example of the Barisan Nasional government's determination to help those in need.
On a national level, Najib said, the Barisan Nasional government had already put in place several programmes to help low-income families like Teoh's.
Addressing the rising cost of living has been made one of the seven NKRAs (National Key Result Areas) in line with the Government Transformation Programme (GTP).
"Financial aid packages for low-income households, book vouchers and aid for students are provided to the public. 1Malaysia clinics, convenience stores and restaurants are also available as a cheaper alternative without compromising on quality," he said.
He said the implementation of a minimum wage in the near future will also increase the income of over 400,000 employees.
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