Eddie and Edmond.
PENAMPANG: Several former chairmen of the now defunct Village Community Management Council (MPKK) from Moyog on Thursday called on the relevant authorities to expedite the distribution of food baskets and other assistances as announced by both the State and Federal Governments to cushion the impact of lockdown and Movement Control Orders (MCOs) borne by villagers from that constituency.
It was recently reported that Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor had announced last week an allocation of RM34 million for food basket assistance in Sabah during the EMCO 3.0
The former MPKK chairman for Kampung Moyog, Eddie Sone Saimon who received applause from Sabah netizens last year when he and his team hiked several hours over rough, hilly terrains to deliver food baskets to villagers, said that he is saddened that no such assistance has been extended by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) despite the first round of lockdown 2.0 had ended on June 14.
“When we sweated out to deliver food baskets to the villagers last year, we felt a gratifying feeling because we knew we have extended the relief desperately needed by those who do not possess the means to acquire the same themselves.
“But I think it was the empowerment given to us, the natives of Kg Moyog, by the former State assemblywoman for Moyog, Jennifer Lasimbang that allowed us to reach remote areas and distribute relief to villagers without having to think much about their political ideologies.
“But now, it is a totally different story where helpless villagers are left in the dark – what saddened me very much is seeing these villagers, who are not privy to any decision made by those in power, are made to wait patiently week after week for assistance or relief,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the former MPKK chairman for Kampung Maang, Edmond Juin, said that the State Government must act immediately in coming out with a proper disaster and relief machinery and start delivering assistance to villagers in Moyog.
“Efficiency is the key word here and when WarisanPlus was in power, the MP for Penampang, Darell Leiking and former State assemblywoman for Moyog, Jennifer Lasimbang strived to ensure relief was released to grassroot leaders in shortest time possible – it wasn’t that perfect but remember, both of them only had two years in government and would have had ample time to fine tune their performance if not for some power hungry individuals who toppled the previous government.
“So now I would like to remind those in power now who are so keen to extend the Emergency, lockdown or EMCOs but very slow in disbursing relief to affected villagers to buckle up and ensure the efficiency of their delivery and performance because this will be accounted come the next general election.
“Mind you, it won’t only be the current lockdown or EMCOs that we in Moyog need to worry about – until the Moyog flood mitigation project is completed, the lower part of Moyog will continue to face the perennial major flooding that can cause millions of ringgit in accumulated losses to Penampang folks and until GRS comes out with an effective and efficient governmental system to assist the Moyog folks, we will continue to think GRS as ‘ineffective’,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Batholomew Jingulam who is an affiliate member of Penampang Act of Kindness Association (PAKA), said that while the Penampang-based NGO will strive to assist families of young adults from the low and middle income class living in low and medium cost apartments all over the district, immediate assistance should come from those who partake in the government of the day.
“It is indeed a tough time for many young adults with family aged between 25 to 35 in Sabah, particularly those previously employed in the hospitality and tourism industry, operate micro-businesses or the daily income earners when their savings continue depleting day after day but it will be far more worst for those living in low and medium cost apartments where everything has to be eventually paid,” said Jingulam.
“While PAKA itself is limited in terms of financial capability to enable us to assist everyone in the district, the association had been working closely with the office of MP for Penampang in identifying and assisting young adults with families in the district who are struggling to meet ends because of the pandemic.
“But it has to be understood that the MP for Penampang can do only much since the Parliament’s and State Assembly’s allocations supposedly meant for Warisan representatives are now being controlled by the government of the day, hence immediate or urgent assistance, including fines or compounds should be rendered to by those having a role in the state government,” he said.
Nevertheless, Jingulam said the association will soldier on and continue to do its best to assist as many young adults with family as possible in the district and always welcome those who wishes to assist and support them.