MERSING, July 20– The Gobok Rakyat Johor initiative by the state government has brought relief to many who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as it ensures that they can put food on the table in these challenging times.
A 37-year-old housewife, who only wants to be known as Nina, said her family had been struggling to make ends meet after she lost her job almost a year ago.
The mother of three, who was retrenched last September, said her family now depends only on her husband’s income of RM1,100 a month.
“Fortunately, the government allowed us to withdraw from i-Sinar. This food assistance is useful to our family, apart from the money we can withdraw,” the former clerk of a private company told Bernama here today.
Nina, who stays at Bandar Mersing, said she is now focused on taking care of her children, aged between four and 10.
Some 100,000 people are expected to benefit from the Gobok Rakyat Johor under the Pakej Rangsangan Ekonomi (PRE) Ihsan Johor 3.0.
A total of RM8 million has been allocated for providing free food and basic necessities in the programme, which was launched on July 11 and will run indefinitely.
A 38-year-old restaurant assistant, who wants to be known as Nor, said the food aid has helped her to save on expenses, especially during celebrations like Aidiladha today.
Nor, who was laid off work about a month ago, said her gardener husband also benefited from the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional and is using the money prudently.
Food trader Kahalmiza Md Kundor, 44, also said the food assistance had come in handy as her business had been affected by the movement control order which was implemented last year.
The mother of one said the food packs she delivered to eateries had not been selling well as most people now preferred to cook on their own.
“Previously, many teachers bought the food packs after school but since the MCO was enforced, my income has dropped. Therefore, this food assistance can ease my family’s burden,” said Kahalmiza, who also takes care of her mother, who is in her 80s.
