KLUANG, May 19 (Bernama) — The role of housewives as the backbone of family harmony continues to be recognised through the Bantuan Kasih Johor (BKJ) initiative, which is described as more than just financial aid, but also an acknowledgement of the contributions of these often unsung heroines.
Most recipients in the Machap constituency here said they were touched by the initiative, which proved that the government appreciates their contribution in managing households 24 hours a day, seven days a week, despite having no payslip or fixed remuneration.
Nor Saydatul Natrah Elias, 33, from Kampung Sari here, said the RM200 cash assistance would help ease the financial burden of her husband, who runs a motorcycle workshop with an unstable income.
“This is the first time I have received assistance under the housewife category, and I feel appreciated because our ‘job’ never ends, yet there is no salary,” she said jokingly when met by Bernama at the aid presentation ceremony officiated by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi at the Kampung Baru Cina Machap Open Hall last Saturday.
Onn Hafiz, who is also the Machap state assemblyman, presented the assistance to 1,867 housewives, involving an allocation of RM373,400 for the area.
Nor Saydatul Natrah, who has three children aged between nine months and nine years, said her family’s monthly expenses were estimated at RM1,000, and the aid would provide some relief.
Sharing a similar sentiment was Nor Amirah Abdullah, 37, who said the assistance could be used to help her husband buy household necessities, especially ahead of the upcoming Aidiladha celebration, with the Jualan Kasih Johor (JKJ) programme being her main shopping destination.
“My husband works as a lorry driver with an unstable income depending on the number of trips. So when we buy items at JKJ, which offers goods at a 30 per cent discount, we can save money,” she said.
Karen Kaur, 38, meanwhile, said she chose not to work so she could personally care for her two children, including sending and picking them up from school, which takes about 40 minutes for a round trip.
“This assistance will help ease my husband’s burden as he works as a scrap metal assistant, and it can be used to buy groceries,” she said.
Karen said BKJ also proved that people like her had not been left out of government aid and hoped the initiative would continue in recognition of the role of those who devote their full time and energy to ensuring family well-being.
Koh Qi Yu, 29, who has a six-year-old daughter, said she greatly appreciated the assistance, especially after deciding to quit her job to focus fully on her child.
“I want to use the BKJ assistance to buy my child’s necessities. Thank you to the state government for ensuring our welfare is taken care of,” she said.
Maslia Mastur, 58, from Kampung Parit Haji Basri, who attended the event in a wheelchair, said she would use the aid to cover daily expenses and medication costs.
“I used to run a food stall, but for the past two years I have depended on my children and husband, who works as a labourer, after experiencing health problems,” said the mother of three.
Onn Hafiz said RM27.2 million had been allocated for BKJ, benefiting 136,000 non-working housewives throughout Johor.
He said more than RM2.48 million under BKJ Phase Four had been channelled to the Machap constituency, involving nearly 12,000 recipients from various categories as part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to help ease the people’s cost of living burden.
— BERNAMA