In the spirit of Deepavali, Yayasan PETRONAS brought festive joy to 1,600 families nationwide this year, through the distribution of food items as part of its Uplifting Lives programme.

Distributed to communities across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang and Sarawak, the contribution included essential food items such as basmathi rice, briyani masala powder, kesari flour, ghee and curry powder as well as cookies and murukku hampers that were specially sourced from entrepreneurs participating in the MEKAR (Memampankan Ekonomi Asas Rakyat) Program under Yayasan PETRONAS.

The national launch of the initiative took place recently in Seberang Prai, officiated by Pulau Pinang State Exco for Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, YB Lim Siew Khim and witnessed by the state’s Director of Social Welfare Tuan Haji Zakaria Taib. At the event, 150 beneficiaries from Bukit Mertajam, Sungai Jawi and Kepala Batas received the food contributions.

Yayasan PETRONAS Chief Executive Officer Shariah Nelly Francis said, “Deepavali marks the triumph of good over evil, the victory of light over darkness and when good flourishes. We hope that through this gesture, we can help bring light to the 1,600 families this festive season.

“At Yayasan PETRONAS, we are committed to creating initiatives that have a lasting impact. Our festive season community programme is designed to spread joy and togetherness among all who celebrate and make a significant difference in the lives of those in need,” she added. The Uplifting Lives festive programme, which sees the contribution of food items to underserved communities every year in conjunction with major celebrations in Malaysia, is part of Yayasan PETRONAS’ community well-being and development focus area. The programme is also in line with the PETRONAS Sustainability Agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.