Donors weed out ‘ugly Malaysians’ through background checks

In service of others: Uncle Kentang and Nayagam.

PETALING JAYA: Those giving out food aid now conduct background checks to ensure they are genuine cases.

Social activist Kuan Chee Heng, or fondly known as Uncle Kentang, has encountered repeat offenders who are not in need of genuine help.

Fortunately, these are isolated cases.

“We ban them from coming back, and we also ban their phone numbers,” he said when contacted.

Based on Uncle Kentang’s experience, usually 80% of people are in need of help and 20% are scammers.

“We ignore the 20% and focus on the big picture,” he said.

To prevent such incidents from happening, background checks are done such as looking at a recipient’s household water and electricity bills.

“This way we will know whether they are a genuine case. We also interview the people who request for help.

“For single mums, we check their MyKad, birth certificates and even school registration,” said Kuan.

According to him, requests for help have jumped 400% since May.

Despite all this, Kuan found that Malaysians are great and helpful.

“People have stepped forward. We also see a lot of people donating in kind or cash,” he said.

Meanwhile, Suriana Welfare Society chairman Dr James Nayagam has seen incidences of those who are not in need turning up to receive aid.

“It does happen but it is a learning experience for us. It has made us all the more wiser and sharper,” he said when contacted yesterday.

To ensure instances like these do not recur, they work with the chairman of the local committee of a low-cost flat to identify those who really need help and who can vouch for the credibility of these families.

“We would also visit the families to determine their needs. Upon handing over the foodstuff, we also take pictures of each family.

“This is to ensure we can follow up with the family because we know that the food given is just immediate aid but we are also concerned about the long-term plan,” he said.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, they usually distribute food aid to 500 families at any one time.

“We do not go straight into an area where any Tom, Dick and Harry can come. This is where a lot of other NGOs are making a mistake. We are very careful with our distribution.

“Some people are depriving others from getting food. It is basically greed. Here we are genuinely wanting to help and there are those who have enough but still want more by making up stories,” he said.