ZIARAH KASIH MADANI INITIATIVE NOT POLITICAL PROGRAMME - KAMIL

TAPAH, April 7 (Bernama) -- Ziarah Kasih MADANI is not a politically-driven programme but was created to ensure aid or contributions reach the target groups, the political secretary to the Finance Minister, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim insisted today.

He said the name of every selected recipient is coordinated by several parties, including the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister's Department, and the selection process does not recognise political boundaries.

"We have never used the Ziarah Kasih MADANI platform or space to bring political logos and such. The government does not differentiate aid according to political leanings.

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"For example, (the aid provided) in Terengganu the other day, if we go by political beliefs, clearly it differs from the Federal government. But, because there is a need for assistance, we helped,” he said after the Ziarah Kasih MADANI session at the Ayer Kuning State Legislation Assembly Hall here today.

Ziarah Kasih MADANI is one of the initiatives created by the Unity Government to reach out to those in need as well as to understand the problems they face.

Its main objective is to eradicate poverty and, at the same time, bring the target groups out of that cocoon through the various initiatives provided.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Kamil said the programme also allowed the government to understand the reality of life for the people, especially the poor.

"This visit is a survey for us to see how the hardcore poverty eradication programme is being implemented and, at the same time, get direct feedback and responses from those who receive assistance,” he said.

He added that the aid provided not only involved cash assistance but also included road repairs, infrastructure facilities and other initiatives.

In today's programme, five recipients from Kampung Pasir Batu Masjid, Temoh received financial assistance as well as food packs.

-- BERNAMA