PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
BERNAS' Gema Ramadan Programme Reaches Out To The Urban Poor
Over 1,000 Orphans, Asnaf families, and Single Mothers Benefit from the Initiative
Shah Alam, 13 March – Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) is bolstering its commitment to creating meaningful social impact with its annual Gema Ramadan initiative this year by focusing efforts to support the urban poor.
The company contributed food boxes comprises of basic necessities including rice and sugar, as well as “bubur lambuk” to over 1,000 resident especially single mothers, orphans and asnaf families at the People's Housing Project (“PPR”) Hiliran Ampang.
The ceremony was graced by Titiwangsa Members of the Parliament and Minister of Plantation and Commodities YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Chairman of BERNAS Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim, Group Chief Executive Officer of BERNAS Zulkiflee Abdul Rahman, alongside the senior management team of BERNAS.
The distinguished guests also had the opportunity to visit selected homes before the iftar session with orphans, senior citizens and single mothers organised by BERNAS at Surau Al-Falah, PPR Hiliran Ampang.
“This strategic partnership with corporate entities like BERNAS reflects the strong commitment of private companies in empowering local communities without neglecting those in need, especially during Ramadan” said Datuk Seri Johari.
“Improving the community's standard of living has always been a priority for BERNAS. We not only provide support to low-income families but also to the urban poor who fall under the B40 category,” said Dato Sri Rohani.
According to a 2024 UNICEF Malaysia report, 41% of urban households now live below the poverty line, with women, particularly single mothers, being the most affected in 16 PPR locations.
Recognising the unique challenges faced by single mothers, orphans, and senior citizens, we developed a support programme to facilitate preparations for Ramadan and Aidilfitri, ensuring that a more joyful and meaningful celebration for every member of the community," added Dato Sri Rohani.
BERNAS' commitment to community development is not limited to the Gema Ramadan Programme but also encompasses initiatives such as the Program Makanan Kesihatan (Healthy Food Programme) known as PROMAK, launched in January 2022.
PROMAK is a free lunch programme for primary school students throughout the academic calendar has benefited over 20,000 students in 97 schools across five states comprising Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, and most recently, Pahang.
In addition, BERNAS recently allocated an additional RM30 million to support the government's efforts to assist impoverished rice farmers. Previously, BERNAS had distributed RM60 million to impoverished rice farmers nationwide. This action aligns with BERNAS' ongoing commitment to fulfilling its social responsibilities under the Concession Agreement with the Malaysian Government, which includes safeguarding the welfare of the farming community.
About BERNAS
Established in 1994, BERNAS assumed the pivotal role of custodian for Malaysian paddy and rice, succeeding the corporatised Lembaga Padi dan Beras Negara (LPN). With over three decades of dedicated service, BERNAS has emerged as a cornerstone in Malaysia's paddy and rice industry, earning recognition as a steadfast partner in promoting food security and sustainability.
At the heart of our mission is the enduring slogan, "Nourishing the Nation," epitomizing our unwavering commitment to delivering premier products and services to our homeland. Grounded in the principles of Integrity, Customer Focus, and Teamwork, we uphold our responsibilities with utmost dedication, harmonizing the needs of all stakeholders and maintaining the highest standards of quality throughout our comprehensive supply chain.