Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh has called on Women, Family and Community Development Ministry Minister Rina Harun to step up and ensure the delivery of food aid hampers to those in opposition-held constituencies.
"We are entering the third and fourth weeks of the movement control order (MCO) and the 1,000 baskets promised by the government to be distributed to the people through the Social Welfare Department to parliamentary constituency have not been delivered."
"As of the time of this writing (Friday noon) there are at least 54 opposition parliamentary constituencies who have not received any such assistance, said Yeoh, who proceeded to list them.
According to her list, Yeoh had received 250 out of the promised 1,000 hampers.
Yeoh who served as deputy minister of the ministry in the Pakatan Harapan administration told Rina that the delay in the distribution of food baskets to those in the constituencies who affect the families of the B40 group.
"This is especially as we enter the fourth week of the MCO and the ministry must be prepared to handle the distribution of this assistance more fairly if the MCO moves on to the next phase."
Notably, in the list provided by Yeoh, the only opposition-held constituency to receive its full quota of 1,000 was that of Langkawi which is represented by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Kangar and Kubang Pasu had received 900 hampers each, but most opposition-held constituencies in her report had received nothing.
"The ministry is also urged to immediately improve the food aid hamper distribution system without any favouritism and taking advantage of the hard work of Welfare Department members while there are people who are in trouble during the MCO period," said Yeoh.
Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin also expressed his frustration that the people in his constituency were not receiving the hampers.
"This is a national crisis, don't play politics," said the PKR man.
He said that on March 30, his office had been invited to help coordinate the distribution of aid and provide the Welfare Department with a list of recipient's names.
"We were so happy that the people would be helped regardless of political party representation," said Sim.
However, he said that despite having submitted the 1,000 names on April 6, the people were still waiting.
"The people are restless, desperate and anxious," said Sim, who said that 95 percent of Pakatan Harapan MPs were encountering similar problems.
"What happened to the promise that 'no one will be left behind'?" he asked.
Last week DAP's Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching alleged that a welfare officer had informed her that the distribution of food at the opposition constituency would be coordinated by MCA's Wee Ka Siong.
The allegation was hotly denied by Wee and also dismissed by the Social Welfare Department which called it fake news.
In a response to Yeoh, Umno supreme council member Razlan Rafii said the politicking should stop.
"In Kuala Lumpur, only Titiwangsa and Bandar Tun Razak are not opposition constituencies.
"In this critical period, all segments of the community are not sidelined and will receive aid.
"Stop politicking and help the people," he told Malaysiakini.
- Mkini
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