Yong condemns political meddling in food aid distribution
KUCHING: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong says the RM200,000 which the state government allocated to all the 82 state constituencies to purchase food and other essentials for those worst hit by the movement control order (MCO) never reached the Service Centres of Padungan, Pending, Batu Lintang, and Kota Sentosa seats which are under the opposition.
She claimed in a statement yesterday the distribution of food aid in these areas has to go through Sarawak Welfare Department (JKMS) and Resident’s Office thereby bypassing the local state elected representatives while in areas under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) the assemblymen have full control over the food aid.
“It is a disappointment to note that by creating this unnecessary bureaucracy red tape, it has caused the distribution of food aid in all these areas held by DAP to move at a snail’s pace and none of the people whose names which DAP Kuching submitted on March 31,has yet to receive any food aid from the state,” she said.
Meanwhile, she added that they have been informed by JKMS and Resident’s Office that as of April 13, they have distributed to Padungan (875 families), Pending (738 families), Batu Lintang (3,612 families) and Kota Sentosa (1,675 families).
“However, when we asked for details of the areas and names of the recipients, both JKMS and Resident’s Office refused to give, despite our repeated requests.
This is totally unacceptable and irresponsible.
“Every elected representative has the right to know the details of the recipients in the area so that necessary and proper planning as well as adjustment could be made to ensure that all those poor and needy families are taken care of and not missed out from the aid,” she said.
She said, in Pending area, so far only 738 families benefited from the food aid.
“I am duty bound to ask who are the actual recipients from this 738 families that had taken the food aid. How many more families who have yet to receive the aid? How is the funding of RM200,000.00 spent? How much does it cost for a set of food aid to be given for a household? What are the items that were included in the food aid?
“Sad to say, all DAP state elected representatives are kept in the dark concerning these information. I am of the view that if there is nothing to hide and all distribution works are done in proper and transparent manner, there is no reason for Sarawak government to deny the rights of DAP state elected representatives to know every details regarding the State Food Aid,” she said.
She urged the Sarawak government to stop political meddling in dealing with the State Food Aid during Movement Control Order (MCO).
Yong said, at this critical time, all quarters should be transparent and bipartisan in dealing with the State Food Aid during MCO.
“All parties must stand united and fight against Covid-19, Sarawak Government must put an immediate stop to playing politics and to work closely with all the elected representatives from all political parties to ensure that the State Food Aid truly benefits those who desperately required assistance.
“Time is of the essence whereby all essential food items are to be distributed to those poor and needy without any further delay,” said Yong.