Bernama News in Brief: Oct 28

MOTAC PROVIDES 88,500 DISCOUNT VOUCHERS TO 167 BOOKSTORES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has allocated RM885,000 for 88,500 book discount vouchers in a bid to revive the country's book industry that has ben affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the vouchers, worth RM10 each, were distributed to 167 selected bookstores and one online bookstore under the supervision of the Malaysian Book Publishers Association from Oct 21 to Nov 15.

She said anyone could redeem the book vouchers as long as it was still available with a minimum of RM20 and above spent in one transaction receipt.

"The selected shops belong to small and medium entrepreneurs who are in need of help so that their business can thrive again,” she said during the ‘Semarak Membaca’ book voucher presentation ceremony at the National Library, here, today.

-- BERNAMA

ALMOST 90 PER CENT OF MELAKA FRONTLINERS HAVE RECEIVED BOOSTER JABS

MELAKA, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Almost 90 per cent of the 25,000 frontliners in the state have received their COVID-19 vaccine booster jabs, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

He said the booster shots had been administered since mid-October and that the rest of the frontliners were expected to get theirs soon.

"For those who are performing the umrah or hajj, they can get this booster dose at a private or government clinic nearby," he told a press conference after the ceremony to expand the implementation of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) with the administering of additional and booster doses at Seri Negeri, here, today.

-- BERNAMA

MAIWP DISTRIBUTES FREE FOOD TO PPR AND IPT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Idris Ahmad today presented a mock cheque for RM825,000 to food truck entrepreneur Suzanna Azman for the distribution of free food for the asnaf (hardcore poor) group.

According to a statement from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) today, the free food initiative, involving 23 People's Housing Project (PPR) sites and three universities in the capital, began on on Oct 1.

“A total of 150 packets of free food are distributed according to the fixed location and day. The free meal will be enjoyed by 23,400 recipients over a period of six months,” it added.

The contribution was made by the MAIWP Baitulmal Food Truck Entrepreneurs.

-- BERNAMA