SHAH ALAM: Another three volunteer forces will receive the RM300 Aidilfitri Special Financial Assistance.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government decided to expand the aid to the Territorial Army Regiment, the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) reserve force and the Malaysian Maritime Volunteer Force (PSMM).
He said the decision was made after receiving applications from the three groups.
“I was informed that there were applications from the three forces that were not included when the announcement was made previously,” he said after attending a walkabout at the PKNS Complex Ramadan bazaar here yesterday.
Anwar was seen sharing a light moment with several stall operators as he walked through the area while members of the crowd jostled to get a better view of the 10th Prime Minister or PMX.
Some stall operators could also be heard shouting his name in a bid to get him to visit their stalls.
Checks with the Finance Ministry revealed that over 26,000 personnel will receive the RM300 assistance, which is part of a RM7.8mil allocation.
On March 28, the Prime Minister announced that the Aidilfitri Special Financial Assistance would be given to more than 200,000 members of the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), the Civil Defence Force (APM), volunteer police and volunteer firemen.
Later, at a buka puasa ceremony at Masjid Ahmadi in Klang, Anwar reiterated that the decision to require preachers to be accredited before being allowed to give ceramah at mosques and surau is not under the government’s purview but that of the Malay rulers.
“It was not my decision; why would they (the Opposition) attack me?
“It’s not that we ban them (the Opposition); they can talk about politics but politics as a system and not with the intention to create chaos among each other,” he said.
He also said he wanted to erase the image of Malaysia as being connected to disharmony among different races and religions as well as graft scandals.
“I will not tolerate whatever threats I may face and the challenges. There must be a will to fight against corruption and disharmony,” he added.
The Prime Minister also took the time to greet and talk to the guests of the Malaysia Madani Santunan Ramadan programme, which was attended by state government representatives, tahfiz schoolchildren, orphans and the locals.
After breaking his fast, Anwar joined the congregation for Maghrib prayers with the community from nearby villages in Sementa.
