Cash, laptops, iPads - Azmin doles out over RM2mil worth of goodies

GE14 | Caretaker Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali doled out over goodies in the form of cash allocations, laptops, and even iPads to his constituents in Bukit Antarabangsa and Gombak today.

Azmin had four aid distribution events scheduled this morning, two of which Malaysiakini was able to attend.

In those two events in Ukay Perdana and Kampung Kerdas, the amount of aid distributed totalled over RM2.24 million.

For youths, Azmin gave over RM44,000 in cash as student aid, as well as 14 laptops.

The caretaker menteri besar also gave six laptops to village chiefs as part of the state government's Peduli Rakyat initiative.

The bulk of aid, however, was for community programmes and public facilities, with cash funding worth between RM5,000 to RM75,000.

The RM75,000 was requested by the Spring Ville 2 residents' association for local council public facilities.

Besides this, Azmin also gave cash aid of between RM500 to RM1,000 for living costs to the poor, as well as cash aid to cover medical expenses.

In his speech in Ukay Perdana, Azmin denied that the handouts were due to the upcoming 14th general election on May 9.

Instead, he said the aid delivered was a regular part of the caretaker Selangor government's responsibilities as a caring administration.

"We are not giving today because of May 9, we give (aid) every week. That is why the (community) chairperson knows to ask for more every week that I am here.

"That is ok, it doesn't go into his pocket. The money is for the rakyat. Today we want to give to mosques, suraus, NGOs, youths, students, the sick, the old. This is a compassionate state," he said.

The crowd responded by chanting "amin" (amen) while others clapped and cheered.

"Amin, amin, amin, don't forget to vote," Azmin said to laughs from the audience.

He added that the more one gives, the more rezeki (blessings) God would grant.

The opposition has frequently criticised the BN federal caretaker government for giving handouts prior to elections, with some equating it to bribes. - Mkini