Ministry welcomes information about those in need of assistance
KUCHING: The Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family, and Childhood Development does not deny that some deserving individuals might have been overlooked in terms of receiving the special stimulus packages under the Movement Control Order (MCO) and Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
“We recognise the fact that despite all the Covid-19 related stimulus packages and ‘safety net’ assistance provided by the government, there are some deserving individuals who have been missed out unintentionally.
“In this respect, the government welcomes specific information about those who need help so that relevant assistance can be given (to them),” minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said yesterday in response to a press statement by Sarawak Human Rights (Suhakam) commissioner Dr Madeline Berma, claiming that the stateless group was ‘ most vulnerable’ during the movement control period.
Suhakam claimed that it arrived at the finding after holding a virtual dialogue on April 24.
Fatimah acknowledged the inevitable inconvenience and hardship brought about by MCO/CMCO and to cushion this impact, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had announced three ‘Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance’ (BKSS) packages.
The RM1.15-billion package announced by the Chief Minister on March 23 included 16 measures to mitigate the impact of Covid19, with another RM16.4 million added on March 30 for food assistance to the rural and urban poor communities.
A total of 380,887 households in the rural and remote areas, the urban poor and the homeless folk, and also those who had lost their jobs and were without income due to MCO/CMCO had received food aid irrespective of age, gender, race and religion, including indigenous people without citizenship status in Sarawak, Fatimah said.
She added that intense efforts were made by the divisional/ district management disaster committee (DDMC) to reach out to the indigenous people even in the most remote areas of Telang Usan, Murum, Mulu, Batang Ai, Meluan, Pakan, Engkilili and Balai Ringin.
Food were transported by helicopters on planned schedules, subjected to weather conditions, with some receiving food aid earlier and others later. All distribution was completed by April 25, stated Fatimah.
“Besides Sarawakku Sayang Food Aid programme and the federal-funded special aid to B40 households and those under the Special Covid-19 food aid programme, there were also food assistance contributed by the elected representatives’ service centres; the private sector; caring NGOs (non-governmental organisations); and kind individuals. This helps to ensure that there is food on the table despite the challenges due to MCO/CMCO.
“Our ministry recognises the good work and efforts made by NGOs for the needy folk in Sarawak before and during the MCO/CMCO period. To ensure their sustainability in carrying out their advocacy works to their targeted groups during and post Covid-19, on May 22 grants amounting to RM1.3 million were given to 125 NGOs.”
Regarding difficulties in seeking medical treatment due to travel restrictions, Fatimah said this was not an issue according to the police as communities living in the interior could go to the nearest hospital irrespective of the distance.
“Malaysians strict compliance to this ruling, including those living in the interior areas, has earned Malaysia worldwide recognition for successfully flattening the curve of the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
The government welcomes specific information about those who need help so that the relevant assistance can be given (to them). Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah