RM30 grocery vouchers: MBKS reminds registered seniors to collect on Sept 23

Wee thanked Kuching South residents for the overwhelming response to RM30 grocery vouchers at one of the markets during this ShallWeeTalk live session on Sept 19, 2026.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Sept 19: Senior citizens in Kuching South who have successfully registered for Kuching South City Council’s (MBKS) RM30 grocery voucher programme are reminded to collect their vouchers on Sept 23 between 7.30am and 10.30am at their respective designated markets.

MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng issued the reminder during his ShallWeeTalk live session today following the overwhelming response to the registration event held across five markets, namely Petanak Market, Stutong Community Market, Bintawa Market, Sungai Apong Market and Kenyalang Market, earlier this morning.

Under the programme, registered recipients from the Petanak area are required to collect their vouchers at Petanak Market, while those from the Stutong and Kenyalang areas can do so at Stutong Market and Kenyalang Market respectively.

Wee said the vouchers can be used to purchase daily necessities such as vegetables, fish, meat and poultry at participating markets.

“The vouchers can only be collected on Sept 23. We hope those who have successfully registered will return to their designated markets between 7.30am and 10.30am to collect them,” he said.

The mayor also thanked residents for their cooperation during the registration event, which drew hundreds of senior citizens, with some arriving as early as 6am despite registration only beginning at 7.30am.

He acknowledged that the large turnout had resulted in congestion and some confusion at certain locations, particularly at Stutong Market and Kenyalang Market, but said the situation improved as the morning progressed.

“I would like to thank our residents for their patience and cooperation. In the end, everyone queued in an orderly manner and we managed to complete the registration process by around 9am,” he said.

Wee also apologised to those who were unable to secure the vouchers, noting that demand was strong and that the programme was limited to residents within the MBKS jurisdiction.

He said the turnout highlighted the financial challenges faced by some residents amid rising living costs.

“When you see so many people queuing up for RM30, it does not make me feel good. No one wakes up at five or six in the morning just to queue for RM30 unless they genuinely need help,” he said.

The voucher initiative forms part of MBKS’ age-friendly city agenda and aims to provide some relief to senior citizens facing increasing household expenses.

Wee said the council would continue looking for opportunities to assist vulnerable groups should additional funding become available in the future.

“Everyone knows that economic conditions are challenging and life is not easy. We will do whatever we can to help our residents. If there are more allocations available, we will certainly continue these efforts,” he said.

At the same time, he urged the public not to politicise community assistance programmes, stressing that the focus should remain on helping residents in need rather than creating unnecessary controversy. — DayakDaily