Federal gov't assistance helps ease living cost for Penang farmers
GEORGE TOWN, May 7 (Bernama) -- Coffee shop operator, Abdul Manaf Abdul Mutalib supplements his income by diversifying into premium MD2 pineapple cultivation with two of his friends in Balik Pulau, thanks to assistance from the federal government.
Abdul Manaf, 45, manages the farm with his friends, Mohd Radzi Embee, 62, and Wan Hassan Yakop, 64, both retirees, and said they received various aids, including pineapple seeds, fertilizers, machines and advisory service from agricultural officers.
"We are grateful to the government for providing various assistance to us to ensure the project is successful and also to ease the rising cost of living," he told Bernama here.
He said the aid also provided opportunities for more people to venture into fruit crop cultivation to generate additional income.
Under the BN Manifesto for the 14th general election (GE14), BN pledged to increase aid schemes for farmers and monsoon season to help farmers and fishermen as well as provide an allocation of RM222 million for Felcra, Kesedar and Ketengah settlers.
Meanwhile a fisherman Noor Ain Isa, 40 from Kuala Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau said his monthly income of less than RM1.300 was barely sufficient and his earnings depended very much on the weather condition.
The 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) recipient and father of six said the aid helped him and his family to have a more comfortable life and hoped the government would provide other forms of assistance to the less fortunate in the country.
Last month when launching the BN Manifesto, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced bigger benefits for BR1M recipients if the mandate is returned to BN in GE14.
-- BERNAMA
