KUCHING: Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has welcomed the announcement that the federal government will allocate RM300,000 to all MPs to implement the food basket assistance for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic within their respective constituencies, especially in view of the movement control order’s (MCO) extension.
However, the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister said that there must be very clear guidelines as to who would receive the food aid, as well as proper coordination.
Pointing out that the RM300,000 sum was allocated per MP, she said it must be borne in mind that there are two to three constituencies under each parliamentary jurisdiction.
“The number of B40 would require more than RM300,000, at a rate of RM100 per food basket,” she said when contacted today (June 29).
As such, she explained that this allocation may not be able to cover all the B40 in that particular parliamentary constituency, and thus emphasised the need for clear guidelines with regard to recipients of the aid.
In addition, she pointed out that earlier, the Sarawak government had provided allocations for food assistance, with each state constituency receiving a sum of RM250,000 for the initiative and the cost of transportation also being borne by the state government.
“So there must be engagement, discussion, and proper coordination between the MP with the respective ADUN (state assemblyperson).
“This is so that the good intention of the federal government to help the needy will achieve its objective,” said Fatimah.
On Monday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the National People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package (Pemulih).
Among the measures under this package, the federal government will provide RM300,000 to all MPs — including the opposition — for them to implement the food basket assistance to help those affected in their respective constituencies.
