SINGAPORE:Malaysians in Singapore have expressed their appreciation to the Johor government for delivering food baskets to them.

A total of 300 food baskets arrived safely at the Malaysian High Commission complex in Singapore yesterday afternoon and some had been distributed to the Malaysian workers staying at East Lodge Hostel here.

This is the first phase of the distribution of the food baskets containing ready-to-eat food, snacks, blankets and personal healthcare packs.

The food basket aid mission was flagged off by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Ir Hasni Mohammad at Dataran Mahkota Kota Iskandar in Johor on Dec 3.

For a start, Hasni said the state government planned to distribute 1,000 food baskets and would continue the initiative after the 1,000 baskets were distributed.

Hasni recently announced the food basket initiative in the 2021 Johor Budget to help Malaysians in Singapore.

One of the recipients, Pushparraj Kalaiselvan, when met by Bernama, thanked the Menteri Besar's Office for sending the food basket and expressed the hope that the borders between the two countries would be opened soon.

"We miss our family...this contribution can also help reduce our burden," said Pushparraj, who works in the aviation sector.

Meanwhile, Acting High Commissioner of Malaysia to Singapore Muhammad Radzi Jamaludin conveyed his appreciation to the Singapore government as well as government agencies and private sector involved in the mission.

"This first phase is paving the way for the smooth running of the next phase. The success of this first phase proves the close relationship between the two governments," he said.

-- BERNAMA