Istana Negara donates 100 cows, distributes sacrificial meat to 14,000 in need
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — A total of 14,000 individuals, including those from the asnaf (tithe recipient) group, received sacrificial meat contributed by Istana Negara in conjunction with this year's Aidiladha celebration.
Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Datuk Wira Zailani Hashim said His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had consented to the donation of 100 cows for the distribution.
He said the recipients included Istana Negara staff, members of the B40 group in various government departments and agencies, orphans, tahfiz students, residents of Community Rehabilitation Centre (PDK) and individuals from schools and institutions under the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) and Social Welfare Department (JKMWP).
'In total, around 14,000 people have received or will receive the sacrificial meat,' he told reporters at Surau Al Jannah, Pinggiran Bukit Jalil PPR today
At the surau, four cows were sacrificed and the meat distributed to 225 asnaf in the surrounding area.
Zailani, in his speech, said the contribution reflected the deep care and concern of Their Majesties Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah for the people, especially those in need.
'This is not merely a donation of sacrificial meat, but a gesture that carries a profound message of compassion and empathy,' he said.
He added that such efforts should serve as an example for others - whether from the government, private sector or individuals, to cultivate a culture of giving and sharing.
'In these challenging times, the values of togetherness, mutual support, and empathy are more important than ever. The spirit of sacrifice should be translated into continuous acts of kindness, not limited to festive occasions alone,' he said.
Meanwhile, Surau Al Jannah chairman, Ismail Zainuddin, expressed his gratitude to Istana Negara for the contribution.
'This is the first time we have received sacrificial meat from Istana Negara. Alhamdulillah, the contribution has been a great help to the asnaf in this area,' he said.
He added that the PPR community consists of five housing blocks and that residents had shown strong support for the programme. — Bernama
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Since it reduced poverty to a straightforward yet relatable visual, this unusual indication struck a deep chord with decision-makers. It spoke to those who recognised the importance of the sarong in daily Malay living without using complicated economic terms. The capacity of Ungku Aziz to innovate in both economic theory and the real-world applications of social research was demonstrated by this method. Developing national initiatives to reduce poverty The Sarong Index may show Ungku Aziz's wider contributions to Malaysia's socio-economic policies. His efforts to reduce poverty greatly influenced Malaysia's development initiatives. The Second Malaysia Plan, a governmental blueprint containing goals for economic growth, better education, and rural development, was formulated in the 1960s, largely thanks to Ungku Aziz's views. 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Using culturally relevant measures and locally relevant approaches, policymakers today may learn from Ungku Aziz's approach to effectively measuring and addressing poverty. Poverty is still closely linked to social conventions and cultural identity in rural communities, like those where Ungku Aziz spent his youth. Despite its symbolic nature, the Sarong Index promotes a comprehensive approach to well-being that considers cultural continuity and community belonging. Ungku Aziz's observations serve as a timely reminder of the significance of culturally sensitive development planning at a time when local customs are under danger from globalisation and quick economic change. Conclusion In addition to being an economist, Ungku Aziz was a humanitarian who valued human dignity in the struggle against poverty. His creation, the Sarong Index, offers a novel approach to gauging rural poverty while maintaining cultural sensitivity and demonstrates his profound knowledge of Malay society. Through the Sarong Index, Ungku Aziz provided Malaysia with a cutting-edge instrument to view and combat poverty, which is still applicable despite the difficulties of today. As Malaysia progresses, Ungku Aziz's work serves as a lighthouse, reminding politicians, economists, and social activists that the development road must honour the cultures and identities it aims to elevate. His legacy reminds us that reducing poverty concerns more than just statistics; it also concerns the community, humanity, and respect. * Datin Seri Prof Dr Suhaiza Hanim Datuk Mohamad Zailani is the Director of the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. She may be reached at [email protected]. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.


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