Sabah MACC probes claim the poor shortchanged in food aid fiasco

Sabah Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will investigate allegations that the RM100 food assistance given by the state government to help the poor during the movement control order (MCO) is not properly distributed.

In a statement yesterday, Sabah MACC director Subbiah Karunanithy said a task force has been set up at the state level to monitor the procurement and distribution of the food aid.

"There are images that went viral on social media lately claiming that the total cost of the food aid is well below RM100.

"The Sabah MACC are monitoring and investigating on the allegations.

"We will continue to cooperate with the state government to ensure proper assistance is being channelled to the public without any leakage," Subbiah said.

It was reported the RM100 food aid was part of the state's economic stimulus package announced last week.

Netizens were outraged by images posted on social media which showed the distributed food including groceries did not add up to a total of RM100.

The images posted included rice, sugar, salt, cooking oil, instant noodles, eggs flour, coffee, noodles, biscuits and sardine cans.

Netizens who did their own calculation, claimed that the food items add up to only RM70 and questioned the remaining balance of RM30.

Malaysiakini has attempted to contact Sabah Chief Minister's Office for comment.  - Mkini