Affluent homes getting food aid? Nobody said 'no', says Sri Tanjung rep

KOTA KINABALU: Pictures of food aid being given to those who were living in seemingly affluent houses in Tawau have stirred up a storm on social media.

The pictures, which have gone viral, show food aid being distributed to people living in a housing estate in the Sri Tanjung constituency, with many questioning why assistance was given to those who could afford to buy their own food.

Sri Tanjung assemblyman Datuk Jimmy Wong said that their intention to help was noble, and the pictures were taken during the second round of food aid distribution.

He said in the first phase, food aid was given to some 1,400 households in villages within the constituency.

"In the second phase, we decided to help those living in terrace houses whom you could consider as the lower- and middle-income group," he said.

Before they started distribution, he said, volunteers asked those who did not need the food aid to put a notice on their gates declining it, or to inform them they didn't need or want it – but no one did.

"From earlier experiences, volunteers were scolded for asking income details... people who seemed to be well-to-do also argued for the rations.

"We decided to provide it without question," he said.

He said there were over 5,000 people living in the area, some with luxury vehicles parked in their compounds.

"We told them if they did not need it, don't take or donate it back to us or give it to someone who might need it," he said.

Wong, from DAP, added that they did want to ask too many questions as the current aid was done on an emergency basis.

He said for the third phase, they would seek out those living in shophouses, school bus and taxi drivers, as well as frontline medical staff.

He said they would consider helping those living in bigger houses as some occupants may have inherited the houses, were sickly, or not doing well.

"We will continue to help on humanitarian grounds. We will do what we should do," said Wong, adding that the social media controversy could have been politically motivated.