Perak launches food programme to assist IPTA, IPTS students

KUALA KANGSAR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The state government has launched a Perak Student Wellbeing (MPS) programme to assist students of public and private institutions of higher learning (IPTA and IPTS) from experiencing food shortages.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohmad said this initiative, under the Prosperous Perak Plan 2030, targeted 45,000 students from four institutions, namely Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), involving the asnaf (tithe) group and B40 households.

“We kicked off the programme at USAS with a RM300,000 allocation as a start-up fund from donations from state government-linked agencies and companies.

“Under this MPS programme, each eligible student will receive an e-voucher worth RM150 each month and they can redeem it through the ‘Smart Kotak’ (Smart Box) application in their smartphones at the kiosk set up in the USAS,” he said after launching the MPS at USAS here today.

Also present were Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak, USAS vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dr Nordin Kardi, UPSI vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Md Armin Md Taff and Smart Kotak chief executive officer Fatimah Chan Abdullah.

Saarani also said that through the MPS, graduates would be given the opportunity to become vendors, in addition to undergoing a month-long entrepreneurship training before choosing a site and business kiosk that will be provided at selected campuses.

“Syarikat Kotak Global Sdn Bhd is collaborating with Yayasan Perak with the support of all GLCs (government-linked companies), including the State Agricultural Development Corporation (SADC), Perak Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) and Perak Water Board (LAP), to contribute funds for the supply of nutritious food.

“Students only need to redeem through the Smart Kotak application to purchase food at the kiosk run by entrepreneurs from the universities involved,” he added.

He said that if the vouchers were given physically, sometimes students might feel awkward and insecure but, with an e-voucher, they can spend as normal and he hoped the contribution would continue to reach all the students involved.

-- BERNAMA