Rasah MP urges probe into distribution of food baskets to B40 group

SEREMBAN: The Prime Minister should immediately ask for a probe into the distribution of food baskets for those in the B40 group affected by the Covid-19 outbreak to ensure there was no abuse, says Rasah MP Cha Kee Chin (pic).

He said although the Finance Ministry had issued a circular dated March 27 clearly outlining guidelines on how the aid should be distributed, his office only received 150 packs on April 21 to be distributed to his constituents.

"The Finance Ministry guidelines clearly stated that each parliamentary constituency will get 1,000 food baskets worth RM100 each.

"But based on our calculation, the food baskets sent to my office cost less than RM35 each," he said in a statement.

Cha said when he checked with the state Welfare Department on the remaining 850 food baskets, they could not provide him with a satisfactory reply.

"So, I have written a letter to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin requesting for him to order a probe into this apparent non-adherence to the Finance Ministry's guidelines," he said.

Cha said a probe has to be carried out urgently, as B40 families in many constituencies have been affected.

He said based on the guidelines, the Welfare Department was to identify the supplier and to purchase the items for the food basket and the MPs office was to personally distribute these food baskets from house to house with the help of Rela and Civil Defence personnel.

"The responsibility to ensure there was no abuse in the distribution of the food baskets rests with the PM, and that is why he should direct the Women and Family Development Ministry to correct it," he said, adding that Pakatan Harapan leaders have been notified of his decision to write to the Prime Minister.

On Friday (April 24), Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob clarified that the food baskets worth RM35 were not from the government.

He said the food aid came from non-governmental organisations who sent them to the Welfare Department to be distributed.