PUCHONG, Oct 25 - The Selangor state government's RM200 Deepavali shopping vouchers help ease the financial responsibilities for retirees and senior citizens as they prepare for the festive season without dipping into their personal savings.
Retired bank employee M. Jeyanthi, 61, said the assistance had eased her household expenses, allowing her to preserve her retirement savings for other needs.
Jeyanthi said she previously relied on her Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings to cover daily expenses, including household necessities.
"When I receive this voucher, I don't need to withdraw much money from my EPF. I can use the voucher to buy groceries such as rice, sugar and other necessities that can last for quite a long time," she said after receiving her Jom Shopping Deepavali voucher here yesterday.
Meanwhile, single mother S. Saraswathy, 55, said the voucher provided much-needed financial relief as she was currently unemployed and living with her child, who is still studying.
Having received the same assistance last year, she said the voucher helped her buy household essentials without adding financial pressure.
"Thank you to the Selangor state government because this assistance really helps us a lot in preparing for the festive season. As an unemployed single mother, I have to manage my own expenses, since my child is also still studying.
"I hope assistance like this can continue because it truly helps families like mine," she said.
Taxi driver S. Krishnan, 61, said he took time off work to collect the voucher, which would help him purchase necessities for Deepavali.
"It's nice living in Selangor because there are various forms of assistance provided. As the festive season approaches, we also receive early assistance to buy necessities.
"With this voucher, I can buy Deepavali items, and of course my family will be happy," said Krishnan, who received the voucher from Kinrara state assemblyman Ng Sze Han.
Previously, state executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication Papparaidu Veraman announced that 26,354 Jom Shopping Deepavali vouchers would be distributed to eligible recipients this year, involving an allocation of RM5.27 million
The programme is being implemented across all 56 state constituencies from October 17 to November 7.
Papparaidu said the distribution method remains unchanged from previous years, with vouchers channelled through the respective state constituency offices before being distributed to eligible recipients for purchases at selected supermarkets.
