KUALA LUMPUR: Charity, helping women, children, the disabled, homeless and the poor have long been on the Barisan Nasional's (BN) top priority list, in its efforts to increase the quality of life for Malaysians.

Shahrizat being greeted by the crowds at Anjung Singgah

In line with the 'Caring and Developed Society', emphasised in the nation's Vision 2020, Umno, through its women's division, has successfully planned and executed programmes catered for the needy to improve their economy and quality of life.

Met at Anjung Singgah, a temporary shelter in Jalan Hang Lekiu managed by the National Welfare Foundation (YKN), the foundation's board of trustees chairman, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said Umno had been giving top priority to charity since Merdeka in 1957.

She said this on Monday as she celebrated Hari Raya and Malaysia Day with over 2,000 guests, among them 626 homeless registered with the foundation, with 223 staying at the shelter.

Also present were 53 students from Maahad Tahfiz Al-Furqani, the disabled, orphans and urban poor.

There are three other shelters nationwide, which would begin operations between next month and year-end.

"There is a shelter in Sarawak, complete with facilities to accommodate 50 people, which is ready for operations next month while shelters in Penang and Johor are expected to begin operations by year-end," said Shahrizat, who is Wanita Umno chief and former women, family and community development minister.

She said the foundation would work closely with corporate companies, non-governmental agencies and government bodies as part of the corporate social responsiblity and fund-raising programmes for Anjung Singgah. Bernama

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