Larkin: The Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia (YKM) has allocated RM5 million this year to assist approximately 1,000 orphans who lost their parents to COVID-19 across the country.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, YKM Chairman Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the assistance is provided on a monthly and one-off basis to those eligible, including during festive seasons. He highlighted that in line with the Chinese New Year celebrations, 11 families nationwide will receive a one-off aid of RM300, totaling an allocation of RM5,000.

"The assistance will begin to be credited starting today into their respective bank accounts," Ismail Sabri stated during a press conference after presenting a contribution to a family in conjunction with Chinese New Year in Larkin today.

Additionally, YKM plans to implement a free online tuition program that will benefit 54 students preparing for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) across the nation. This initiative, expected to begin next week, aims to improve the educational standards of these children.

Earlier, Ismail Sabri handed over a one-off aid of RM300 each to two orphans, Soh Zhe Hong, 18, and Soh Zhe Qi, 16. Loke Kim Yen, 51, whose husband passed away due to COVID-19 in 2021, supports her two school-going children with her income as a piano teacher and approximately RM2,000 a month from the Social Security Organisation's (SOCSO) 24/7 Protection Scheme.

'I feel very grateful for this contribution; I didn't expect the aid to be delivered directly to my home,' she expressed, adding that the assistance provides her family with encouragement and cheer as they prepare to celebrate the Chinese New Year.