Goodies that 'coincide' with the Tg Piai by-election

TG PIAI POLLS | The Tanjung Piai by-election has seen the announcement of many goodies, even before nomination day on Nov 2.

On the government's part, they claim these goodies are either aid that needed immediate attention, or coincidental allocations that had been approved before incumbent MP Dr Md Farid Md Farik passed away in late September.

Malaysiakini lists the aid or promises that have been announced thus far.

Oct 13 - RM3 million for town hall, various upgrading work in Kukup

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the allocation was approved earlier, and she was only there to ensure that the projects did not stall in Farid's absence.

Oct 15 - RM230,000 allocation for Village Community Management Council (MPKK) grants, RM127,776 for rural street lights

Rural Development Minister Rina Harun said the allocations were approved before the by-election was announced.

Oct 19 - RM4 million to upgrade sports and recreational facilities in Tanjung Piai.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (below) said this was part of RM14.6 million requested by Dr Farid for Tanjung Piai before he passed away.

Oct 22 - RM7 million for development projects

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the allocation was approved by Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali.

Nov 1 - RM2 million for fisherfolks, RM56,000 special aid for burnt home

Agriculture Minister Salahuddin Ayub said RM1 million was to help 78 caged-fish breeders whose stock had died due to pollution. Another RM1 million was to fix dilipitated fishing jetties.

Salahuddin also handed RM56,000 in government aid to a fisherman whose house burnt down.

The minister was unapologetic, saying that a responsible government will not withhold aid just because there is a by-election.

Nov 4 - Wee promises umrah trips for senior citizens

BN candidate Wee Jeck Seng (below) promised that if he wins the by-election, he would revive his past programmes to send senior citizens for umrah in Mecca.

Nov 4 - RM5,000 for Chinese school

Salahuddin made a RM5,000 contribution to SJKC Pei Chio Kukup Laut. Education Minister Maszlee Malik said it is normal for ministers and deputy ministers to make such allocations.

Nov 6 - RM1,000 special aid for fisherfolk

The Johor state government announced a special aid of RM1,000 each for fisherfolk in southern Johor, including 544 fisherfolks in Tanjung Piai. The allocation for Tanjung Piai is thus RM544,000.

Johor Menteri Besar Sahruddin Jamal said this aid has been given annually since 2015 to fisherfolk affected by development in southern Johor.

Nov 11 - Six schools to get new halls

Six schools in Tanjung Piai will be getting new halls next year. Maszlee said these projects had been initiated by the late Dr Farid. Construction will begin Dec 1.

Campaigning for the Tanjung Piai by-election is in its final week. Polling is on Nov 16. - Mkini