Welfare Dept denies political interference in food aid distribution
The Social Welfare Department has dismissed DAP Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching's allegation of political interference in food aid given to poor families impacted by the movement control order (MCO).
"This is an announcement of fake news by the Welfare Department," said the department curtly in a social media posting today referring to Teo's allegation.
The Social Welfare Department has dismissed DAP Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching's allegation of political interference in food aid given to poor families impacted by the movement control order (MCO).
"This is an announcement of fake news by the Welfare Department," said the department curtly in a social media posting today referring to Teo's allegation.
The department also uploaded a screenshot of an e-mail purportedly written by a welfare department official to Teo, together with a fake stamp (above).
This was the letter Teo used as proof in alleging political interference in the distribution of food aid to poor families at an opposition constituency.
Yesterday, Teo had alleged that 422 poor families were unable to receive food aid as she was notified by a welfare official that Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong was to coordinate the distribution of food aid at the opposition constituency.
In an immediate response, Wee challenged her to show the proof.
The screenshot of the purported e-mail dated April 9 was uploaded onto Teo's Facebook page today.
She, however, redacted the name of the sender.
In a separate Facebook post today, Teo said it is easy to prove who is the one making false accusations.
She said each parliament constituency has received 1,000 baskets of food valued at RM100 each, and her office has worked with the Kulai Welfare Department to distribute it to 605 recipients from April 5 to April 8.
Revealing photos that purportedly show the distribution process, Teo said the distribution should have continued until all 1,000 baskets have been given away, but was halted on April 9 instead.
“My question is, what is the distribution discontinued on April 9? And now, the movement control order has been extended to April 28.
“I’m still waiting for the minister’s clarification on whether he had given instructions to halt food aid distribution in opposition-held constituencies.
“But the people cannot wait any longer. Many B40 families in Kulai are desperate for help - not tomorrow or next week - but immediately,” she said.
She said the issue has not only affected her constituency, but all opposition-held constituencies, she said.
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