A TOTAL of 150 Kesuma Madani volunteers will be deployed to Penang for this year’s Thaipusam celebrations as part of the Human Resources Ministry’s efforts to assist workers and the community alike at the respective ‘panthals’.
Its Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong recently announced the programme at the Batu Caves Temple, saying it was the first time the Ministry was organising a programme of such nature.
“This is an outreach programme where we hope to assist the workers at the panthals, as well as the devotees and visitors if at all they require help in the form of logistics and so on.
“We have a few components under this programme, such as a rest area that will be available if the workers, volunteers, and other relevant bodies require space to have a breather amidst their busy schedule.
“There will also be booths that provide free health screenings and professionals on sight to brief about technical courses by the HR Ministry,” Sim said during a media conference before going on a tour around the Waterfall Hill Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga on Jan 21.
He also stated that a total of 350 volunteers will be deployed in both Penang and Kuala Lumpur this year.
These volunteers are from the Industrial Training Institute (ILP), an initiative that is overseen by the HR Ministry.
Meanwhile, Sim also highlighted that during the programme, efforts will be taken by the Ministry, in collaboration with the Social Security Organisation (Socso), to encourage more housewives to sign up for the Housewives Social Security Scheme (SKSSR).
“This Government (Madani) is a caring government that is focused on the care economy.
“No one, including housewives, who play a key role in our economy, will be sidelined.
“Housewives, just like any other workers, should be accorded the same amount of protection they deserve in our economy.
“We aim to reach our target of having 500,000 registered and insured housewives under this scheme,” Sim added.
It was learnt that in 2023, 200,000 housewives were registered under the programme.
Also present during the media conference were Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo Sze Zeng, Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) chairman RSN Rayer and its deputy chairman Dr R.A. Lingeshwaran.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat