Abdul Karim. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (July 3): It is hoped that the RM300,000 food basket allocation for each MP will be channelled to the right target groups and not just for supporters, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He also expressed his hope that each MP and their respective service centres will liaise with the Resident or district office in order for the aid to reach the needy people in their areas.
“Poverty goes beyond politics and I hope they don’t just help their own supporters. Whether it (the allocation) is enough or not is not the issue, but it must go to the right target groups.
“It is hoped that the MPs and their respective service centres will liaise with the Resident office or district office to get to the needy people in their areas,” Abdul Karim said when asked to comment on the food basket allocation during a press conference after the ‘Ziarah Belia’ programme in Asajaya today.
The federal government has allocated RM300,000 to each MP for food basket assistance to help affected groups in their respective constituencies under the National People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package (Pemulih).
On the white flag campaign, Abdul Karim, who is also Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, said that it is an avenue for those affected to reach out to their community for help and advised people not to abuse it.
“Raise it when you really need help from others. Don’t raise it to get extra food. Your neighbours would know. This is something for the rakyat to the rakyat that comes from the heart.
“If anyone raises a white flag, the community can come forward to help,” he said.
The Asajaya assemblyman noted that there has been less cases of social problems among the youth due to the lockdown to curb Covid-19 spread.
Although he did not have the exact percentage, Abdul Karim said engagements with the narcotics department, the police and related agencies showed that cases have decreased.
“When you keep people at home, at night when nobody is allowed out and nobody gets drunk, cases of social problems have gone down quite a bit. Even snatch theft cases seem to be few. There is good and bad about this lockdown,” he said.
Abdul Karim advised the youths in Sarawak to always stay committed to weather through the current situation.
“Be strong and we can get through this difficult time. Youths need to think of their community, of those who are needy, instead of thinking of themselves only,” he said.
On the ‘Ziarah Belia’ programme organised by the ministry, he said it aims at engaging with the youth and boosting the spirit of volunteerism.
During the programme, he distributed thermometesr, face masks, and hand sanitisers to youths in 28 associations and clubs under his constituency.
“Our intention was to organise the ‘Jelajah Belia’ programme throughout the state but due to the pandemic, we can’t. So we have to organise a different kind of programme that is approved by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
“We might hold this ‘Ziarah’ programme in other areas, but that will be pending approval from SDMC,” he said.