KOTA KINABALU: A question on why many Sabahans are still asking for money despite receiving financial aid from the state heated up Question Time at the state assembly here on Tuesday (April 15).
Opposition assemblyman Calvin Chong Ket Kiun (Warisan–Elopura) had asked a supplementary question on how aid recipients were identified as some of his constituents were still asking for financial assistance.
Assistant Minister to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir said he had details of recipients but would take a long time to answer if he detailed out each constituency.
However, Chong continued pushing for answers but was asked to sit down so Abidin could answer the question.
However, Chong refused to comply and continued standing.
An irked Abidin then said that as assemblymen, they were a focal point for residents in their constituencies.
"That is normal, even though in Paginatan, we have given SMJ (Sabah Maju Jaya) houses, Syukur (Program Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat aid) and so on – the people still come to me.
"Because that is our responsibility as elected representatives. If you want to complain, resign," he said.
Both continued to exchange words and Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya turned off the assemblymen's microphones to defuse the situation.
Things calmed down after Assaffal Alian (Warisan-Tungku) was given the opportunity to ask another question.
Earlier, Abidin told the house that 68,238 recipients had received financial aid of RM300 a month as of April 1 under the state government's Syukur programme that has a total allocation of RM358.4mil.
He said 72,060 poor, including hardcore poor, were listed in the eKasih system as of December 2024. He said a further 3,822 recipients had been identified and would be updated in the system.
Abidin said there was also the Sabah Database System (Padans) for those eligible for assistance to apply online.
"In addition, the SMJ secretariat is also working with grassroots leaders such as the Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) and district offices to identify those in their districts eligible for this assistance," he added.
He said that as of March 31, 2025, the SMJ secretariat had received 270,272 applications through Padans which were being verified by 85 officers.
