Mayor leads MBKS councillors bring Christmas cheer to KMC flat residents

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Wee (fourth left) visits a resident of the KMC Flats who is suffering from diabetes. Looking on are MBKS councillors and staff members.

KUCHING: Councillors from Kuching South City Council (MBKS), led by Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, visited residents of KMC flats at Jalan Padungan here yesterday to share the spirit of Christmas.

“As the KMC Flats are under our jurisdiction and if we want to carry out any charitable activities, I believe we should start from our own backyard first,” said Wee when met by journalists at the residential area yesterday.

Wee said the MBKS decided to hand out cash aid to the residents – especially the poor or sick folk – instead of buying presents as it would be more practical in lifting their financial burden.

A total of 31 households benefited from the cash hand-outs, with each receiving between RM50 and RM200 depending on family size, which totalled to RM3,750 in the amount distributed.

“Having this Christmas activity is very meaningful since it allows our councillors to understand in-depth the situation of KMC flat residents and we hope more people would join in to develop a more caring society,” said Wee, who opined that there were many more financial-distressed families living in the KMC Flats who were unnoticed.

Moreover, Wee said he had initiated a first-of-its-kind programme to assist the residents in paying for their rent, about RM100 monthly, as many were facing financial difficulties to fork up the amount.

Personally, the mayor is assisting 10 households in KMC Flats with their rental payment, while other councillors and staff members had volunteered to help residents facing difficulties to settle their monthly rental payment.

“Although the amount contributed is not large, what is important is the spirit of giving. If you have the financial capability to donate, it will be great – but if not, your moral support is also very important,” said Wee.

On Saturday, Wee also led MBKS staff members to visit Sarawak Mental Health Association centre here, requesting its residents to submit their wish-list for this coming Christmas.