Jahara denies saying flood aid only for DAP members

GEORGE TOWN: State opposition leader Jahara Hamid has denied saying the flood aid in Penang was only meant for those who were DAP members.

Jahara said a reporter had asked her about certain individuals insisting that flood victims become DAP members first before being considered for aid.

“So I said if that was the case, then it is not right. You cannot force people to join your party to receive aid.

“You should give aid regardless of an individual’s political affiliations,” she told FMT.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had said Jahara’s comment, published in Utusan Malaysia, was a “serious allegation” and had demanded she show proof.

Lim said the Penang government had even given Umno division leaders welfare aid besides announcing a RM700 payout to all the estimated 100,000 households affected by the recent floods.

Jahara had told Lim she would need time to find proof to substantiate the claims made. However today, Jahara said that at the time the issue was raised, she had not read the Utusan article.

She said that at her press conference, she had wanted to know how the flood aid was being distributed.

“Look, all I said was not to make the lives of the flood victims more difficult by insisting they are registered voters in Penang.

“Victims are victims and they should be given the aid they deserve.

“I only wanted the Penang government to explain the standard operating procedure when giving out aid to flood victims,” Jahara said.

The following is the quote from Jahara in the Utusan article mentioned by Lim at the state assembly yesterday: “Bantuan pihak luar begitu banyak dan dikumpulkan dalam tabung DAP, jangan pula mereka minta mangsa banjr mendaftar masuk ke parti sebelum bantuan disediakan.”

The translation of her statement reads: “So many outside parties are giving aid and it is being collected in DAP’s coffers. But I hope they do not ask the flood victims to register as party members before aid is given.”

Another paragraph read “it was understood” that those receiving aid had to “register as a voter in Penang through a politician”.

When asked about this particular paragraph, Jahara said it was Utusan’s own commentary and not her words. -FMT