Sabah village chief to lodge report over fake viral photo

CORONAVIRUS | A Sabah village chief will make a police report today over a fake photo allegedly showing the state government giving food aid to villagers during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Nabawan district officer (DO) Virus Malitam.

According to online news portal The Borneo Post, Virus alleged that somebody intentionally uploaded to social media a picture of a plate with little rice, an instant noodle and biscuit pack, and a small sardine can, in order to taint the state government’s image.

However, he said, another picture shared on social media showing a team preparing food aid for villagers was real.

“The one in the plate is not true, they deliberately spread (on social media). The village chief will make a police report tomorrow,” said Virus.

He said that even though needy villagers were prioritised and received basic food aid delivered to Kampung Pamuntarian recently, the village chief had also distributed food to the rest of the villagers in accordance to Murut customs and beliefs called tinauh, hence ensuring each villager received a share.

Virus pointed out that although the original purpose was only to distribute amongst the underprivileged, a share of smaller ration was received by every villager, regardless of whether they were impoverished or otherwise.

“The customs of the Murut people is like that, we have to respect. Everyone must get their tinauh so no one will be left out so it will look very little but that is the practice here.

“Our intention is not to give all. We want to give those who really need it first and the others will get it later,” he said.

He explained that a Covid-19 command centre had been opened at the district office so that it (district office) is always aware of the villagers’ needs, thus any assistance received would be given to Nabawan, Pagalungan and Pensiangan.

“Recently, the donations from the state government through (Sabah Development Infrastructure minister) Peter Anthony for the needy people are rice, biscuits, instant noodles, sardine, sugar, salt and cooking oil.

“That is the first phase of assistance and after this, we will surely receive more to be given to the needy,” he said.

Virus said that besides the government aid, the private sector such as plantation firms would also directly give food assistance to the needy Nabawan people without needing to go through the district office.

He added that there are 135 villages in Nabawan, Pamuntarian, Pensiangan, Sapulut, Pagalungan and Tatalaan. - Mkini