Tapah: The Perak state government, in collaboration with the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM), has allocated RM245,000 to upgrade the infrastructure of eight welfare centres across the state, including orphanages and tahfiz schools. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad announced that the funding, part of SKM’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, aims to improve the safety and comfort of children in these institutions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saarani expressed gratitude for the meaningful contribution, particularly for the orphans, and emphasized the hope that cooperatives sponsoring such initiatives will continue their charitable work in the future. He shared these remarks with reporters after launching the ‘Dari Mata Turun Ke Hati’ charity event hosted by SKM at Maahad Tahfiz Al Quran Al Ahmad in Tapah Road. The event was also attended by Datuk Salbiah Mohamed, the state Women, Family, Social Welfare, Cooperatives and Entrepreneurship Development Committee chairman, and SKM chairman Lieutenant General (R) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal.
The funds will benefit eight organisations, including Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim Dan Miskin Ar-Ridwani in Ipoh, which will receive RM45,500; Pertubuhan Badan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Darul Aitam in Temoh, Tapah, with RM29,500; and Pertubuhan Badan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Darussalam in Ipoh, allocated RM36,000. Other recipients include Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim Dan Miskin Dahikmah in Gopeng (RM30,000), Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim Tasawwur Islam Perak in Semanggol (RM30,000), Yayasan Anak Yatim Darussakinah in Teluk Intan (RM18,000), Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Dan Warga Miskin Bait Al-Amin in Parit (RM26,000), and Badan Khidmat Islam Perak (BAKIP) (RM30,000).
On another issue, Saarani responded to questions about the recent Ex Kurung terror crisis management exercise held at Ungku Omar Polytechnic (PUO) in Ipoh. He explained that keeping the counter-terrorism drill secret from students was crucial to assess the readiness of rescue and medical teams in responding to emergencies.
“The public must understand how challenging such situations are, particularly with security issues like the previous Lahad Datu incident. Regular training is essential for effective response and we must always be prepared,” he said. Police confirmed that the simulated terrorist attack, which caused panic and went viral on social media, was part of a crisis management training exercise led by the 69 Commando Unit of the Special Operations Force (PGK), in cooperation with the polytechnic and other agencies.