Members of the Welfare Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) lent a helping hand to pack 57,000 food boxes, in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, to be distributed to Malaysian security forces personnel in appreciation of their services to the country.

Bakti president Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor said for this year's contribution, worth about RM541,500, Bakti would prepare a 'briyani rice' set to be handed over to the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

"As in previous years, Bakti carries out its responsibility to channel contributions to the country's security personnel on duty during Ramadan and on Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

"This time around, the food set contains briyani rice with fried onions, chicken, vegetable curry and fruit pickles. This is our way of remembering those on duty this coming Hari Raya," she told reporters after attending the Bakti Hari Raya contribution packing ceremony for the Malaysian Security Forces here today.

Rosmah, who is also wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, said a total of 20,000 food boxes would be distributed to the Armed Forces, 30,000 to the police and another 7,000 to MMEA.

At the event, over 100 volunteers, including Malaysian Veteran Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC), Kelantan Graduates Association (HIMSAK) as well as university and secondary school students took part to help in packing the food boxes.

She also presented Aidilfitri contributions to the volunteers involved such as dates, zamzam water, prayer mats, fabric and T-shirts.

-- BERNAMA