Sungai Pelek rep files MACC report over food aid issue

After complaints by opposition MPs concerning food aid to the poor, DAP Sungai Pelek assemblyperson Ronnie Liu has filed a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against the Welfare Department.

When contacted, Liu said he filed the report at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya this morning.

"Many opposition MPs complained that they have yet to receive the food aid from the Welfare Department.

"The distribution should be done properly. This is important as the food packs are for the poor, the elderly and single mothers," he said.

The Perikatan Nasional government had allocated 1,000 food packs for each parliamentary constituency. They are for the B40 group to ease their burden during the movement control order (MCO).

However, Liu claimed that many MPs have yet to receive the food packs.

"Where are the 1,000 food packs for each parliamentary constituency?" he said.

Each food pack costs below RM100

Liu also urged the MACC to probe if there was a leakage involving the funds for the food aid as there were complaints by MPs that each food pack did not cost RM100 as claimed.

"The basket that is said to cost RM100 is actually less than RM35. Why is that?

"The defence minister (Ismail Sabri Yaakob) said those food packs which cost RM35 were from NGOs, not the ministry.

"Please name that NGO, the number of the packs and the value," he said.

Liu also said that the distribution of the food packs did not follow the set guidelines, as the Civil Defence Force (APM) and the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) should cooperate and manage with MPs to distribute the food packs.

Malaysiakini has contacted the MACC for confirmation on the report.

Rasah MP Cha Kee Chin (photo) was among MPs who complained that the value of the food pack he received was worth only RM35 each.

Subsequently, more MPs vented their frustrations with the food aid.

Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said that he was made to understand that 10 percent of the RM100 value of each food pack was deducted to pay for packaging and transportation costs.

He stressed that it was improper to make such deductions from the value of the food packs.

It was reported that the only opposition-held constituency to receive its full quota of 1,000 food packs was Langkawi, which is represented by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Kangar, held by Noor Amin Ahmad of Pakatan Harapan and Kubang Pasu, held by Amiruddin Hamzah of Bersatu, had received 900 hampers each. - Mkini