A food bank in Kuantan, Pahang, which has dished out aid to over 1,000 families since the past month was ordered to close by state authorities yesterday, a move which was criticised by the organisers.
When contacted, a member of the organising committee claimed that political interference was suspected to be behind the order.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the man told Malaysiakini that the food bank was initiated last month by a group of friends in Taman Tok Sira, who chipped in their pocket money to help those in critical financial distress.
What started as a simple food rack placed behind a restaurant turned into a much bigger initiative after the food bank went viral on social media and attracted more donors and partners, including VIPs in the area and the involvement of Masjid Tok Sira and the local Rukun Tetangga committee.
"Due to the strong backing, our food bank became famous in Kuantan in no time and was given the moniker 'Foodbank Kayangan' as the items that we gave out are of good quality and brand.
"In the past three weeks, we distributed packs containing basic necessities to 500 families a week. Each pack contained items worth about RM60," said the organiser.
Due to the overwhelming response, the food bank had to engage Rela to do crowd control and ensure that all who came seeking assistance followed the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The organiser said that distribution was done at an open-air space in front of the shop, and potential recipients were divided into several sections including two waiting areas, and a spot to queue specifically for newcomers to leave their details and be interviewed.
"Only 30 people are allowed to queue at each waiting area before receiving their aid, while at the interview station, only 10 people are allowed to queue at a time. If there are more people, the rest would have to wait inside their vehicles and be given queue numbers," he said.
However, problems started a few days ago when an individual in the housing area, said to be a member of a political party, allegedly became upset with the initiative.
According to the organiser, he believed that the individual with a 'Datuk' title became unhappy when several other 'Datuk' started sharing photos of their contribution to the food bank in a WhatsApp group.
This had allegedly led to a heated debate among the VIPs.
The following day, the organiser claimed that a high-ranking police officer in Kuantan visited the food bank and had a discussion with the organisers, after which, he told them to close.
"From the conversation, we learned that the police received a complaint from someone against our foodbank. And today (Friday), we were informed that a decision was made by state authorities to shut down the food bank."
Malaysiakini also contacted the committee of Masjid Tok Sira, which is one of the foodbank's official organisers, for comments.
Its secretary, Mohammad Sohaimi Ab Hamid, confirmed that they have been ordered by the Pahang National Security Council and state disaster management authority to halt the food bank operation, citing that it had attracted too many people.
They are concerned that the huge crowd may risk the further spread of Covid-19, he said.
"The reason given was that Pahang, especially the Kuantan area, is still recording a high number of Covid-19 cases.
"The Kuantan district police chief had come down to assess the situation on Thursday, and took it to the council before it made the decision in the meeting yesterday," Sohaimi said when contacted today.
Asked on the claim that the closure might have to do with interference from a politician upset with their initiative, he admitted there were several individuals who "advised" them to close the food bank due to the large crowd.
However, he declined to comment further or speculate on the motive.
"I do not want to point fingers at anyone. We will just abide by the authorities' order, and when the number of cases goes down again, we will restart the food bank," he said.
Meanwhile, Pahang police chief Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, when contacted, confirmed that overcrowding at the food bank was the main reason for the closure order.
"Based on information received on this food bank, the Tok Sira Mosque management was said to be struggling to control the crowd which had come from all over Kuantan, and even as far as Pekan to either contribute or seek assistance.
"The Kuantan district police chief and his officers had visited the location and met with the organisers. They found that the registration and food distribution stations have good SOPs, but the crowd that waited for assistance was too big and could not be controlled.
"Discussion went well between the police and the organisers. But, of course, there are those who can't accept or disagree with a decision," he said.
Ramli also advised those who want to contribute food items to engage their local Welfare Department for the best method to deliver their donations. - Mkini
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