SABAH TODAY

BY SABAHTODAY
KOTA KINABALU: DAP Luyang State Assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe said the opposition representatives are ready to put aside political differences to assist the state government to distribute the food aids to each constituents.

Phoong urged the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor to also put aside political differences and work together to ensure food aids are distributed effectively and efficiently to those who are truly in need.

“The Chief Minister has recently expressed his disappointment and issued a stern warning to officers that are distributing food aids inefficiently.”

“I have mentioned in my earlier statement on the 12th October when the government allocated RM 2 million worth of food buckets to each district. I have suggested to both the state government and local councils to include the state assemblymen/women office into the distribution plan regardless being in the ruling or opposition coalition.” He said.

Phoong who is also Sabah DAP Socialist Youth Chief (DAPSY) Chief has stated that the representatives offices have gained experiences of distributing food aids in the first phase of nationwide MCO.

“In Luyang, more than 5,000 packs of food baskets were distributed during the first phase of MCO,” he elaborated.

He said that this has proven that respective assemblymen/women offices are well equipped with effective machinery to distribute food aids.

He has also pointed out that local councils are facing numerous challenges as they may lack experience in distributing mass amounts of food aid in a short period.

“I am thankful to the local authorities including all police officers and army personnels who have been doing a good job to distribute the food aid. However, if there is shortcomings, to achieve the goal to help the people, we as local representatives are willing to assist.” He added.

Phoong has stated that the final decision is in the hands of the government now.

“We must think of the people and empathise those who are affected severely by the pandemic. The people should be the priority and it is high time for us to serve the country together under these challenging circumstances.”

“If the government is willing to allocate funds for everyone putting away political differences. We will mobilise our volunteers and start to distribute these food aids to those truly in need immediately.”