Ismail said the money would be banked in from tomorrow onwards.

“This is part of YKM’s commitment to ensure that the orphans, who have lost loved ones, will be able to celebrate the festivities,” he said after visiting a widow in Kuching, Sarawak.

Tina Bong, a mother of two, lost her husband to Covid-19 in 2021. She is the sole breadwinner and also cares for her in-laws who are in their 80s.

Ismail said he had given a donation to Bong and her family to ensure that they can celebrate Christmas.

He also visited Rimanoraishahida Sarbini, 37, who likewise lost her husband to Covid-19 in 2021.

The mother of three, who works as a babysitter, is currently surviving on RM700 a month.

“Rimanoraishahida had just applied for YKM aid, but after visiting her and her family and seeing how they live, we agreed to include her three children as recipients starting next year,” Ismail said.

Separately, he said YKM had channelled funds through its Bantuan Kasha initiative to some 977 recipients since 2022. Of these recipients, 47 are from Sarawak.

He said children below the age of 16 would receive RM2,000 a year, while those above 16 receive RM2,500 annually until they graduate.

Ismail said YKM spent up to RM5 million this year to provide education aid, including for those studying in university and college, as well as to help those affected by disasters.

“We expect to see an increase in the aid next year as we received 890 applications which we are still vetting.”