YOURSAY | ‘By some illogical mathematical formula, it cost RM15 to pack and transport each pack.’

Goose N Banter: “That is why I never announced the value of the food aid basket as it is provided according to the situation,” said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun.

What is this? Okay, let’s say this has some logic to it, the rakyat should know how the value of the food aid is correlated to different situations? Do explain your basis.

Is it like if a household is on the brink of death from malnutrition, they get an RM100 pack and if it’s just those who have been starving for a few days, then they may receive aid worth RM35?

Rina should not be deciding who gets how much. The only thing you should be considering is that the rakyat are under enhanced movement control order (MCO) and in need of aid.

The approved allocation is RM100 per pack. Gazette a standard food aid make-up and frequency of distribution. This ensures that the rakyat know what you are required to provide them and it holds you accountable in carrying out your duties as a government servant responsibly.

And outsource the supply and packing to the big-name retailers. They have a nationwide network to make this feasible. Don’t let yourself or any of your officers from the ministry be involved with any process involving the taxpayers’ money in procuring the provisions for the needy rakyat.

We are more than a week into the enhanced MCO in some areas and those at the top are still deliberating food aid value, distribution, accountability, etc?

This is what happens when people we did not vote for usurp positions they do not know how to handle. And people remain cooped up in those enhanced MCO areas waiting for their food aid while these people are trying to get their act together.

Slumdog: The Welfare Department can’t even do simple math. If 10 percent has to be deducted for packaging and transportation, that should leave RM90 per pack and not RM85.

By some illogical mathematical formula, it cost RM15 to pack and transport each pack. Are the packs being transported by military escort with army vehicles armed with heavy artillery?

Is somebody somewhere is pilfering or some Perikatan Nasional (PN) government crony is being paid RM15 for each pack? If there is Umno in the mix, there is always a long line of vultures lining their pockets.

Vision X: Indeed, we should have used the army trucks and army personnel to transport the food aid and this could be done for free. Why pay for transport cost?

Rina needs to step up. How can she be a good minister if she can’t do something as simple as this?

Anonymous_1560753552910.31231560752670989: I have carried out food aid with two other NGOs. The food items were supplied by suppliers who had packaged and transported it to predetermined locations at no extra costs.

On one of the food aid operations that my friends worked with was Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil. No packaging or transportation costs were incurred.

Salvage Malaysia: Cost for packaging? It’s only one plastic bag used. How much is one plastic bag? And transportation cost? When you transport in bulk, how much is the average cost per pack?

Seriously, I pray that the rakyat will vote out all these people in GE15.

Jaded: It's one thing to steal, but allegedly stealing from the poor at a time like this is just disgusting and despicable.

The transportation cost is subject to economies of scale. Delivery of one may be RM10 but delivery of many packs would be much lower.

Gajah Duduk: Shopee can deliver. Lazada can deliver. Tesco can deliver. Grab can deliver. Lalamove can deliver. Poslaju can deliver. All charge around RM5.

The government of Malaysia? It can deliver, but charges RM15.

Anonymous122277: During this trying time, the government can't even to do a proper job of distributing food aid to the B40 (bottom 40 percent) group.

If they share the responsibility of distributing food aid with opposition MPs, opposition state assemblypersons and NGOs, this fiasco would not happen.

The main point is, the government is playing politics without any concern for the suffering of the rakyat in this Covid-19 outbreak.

As the PM said, his government cares for the rakyat. I would say what he said is nonsense if people are going hungry.

Anonymous54: This is a government of individuals as Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin claimed. So, it's every minister for himself or herself. The PM cannot take action against these individuals or else his government will collapse.

We can rightly assume the packers and transport providers are their cronies - family and friends.

I am certain if the Pakatan Harapan backbenchers are permitted to assist, they can pack, transport and distribute more efficiency. Most importantly, the rakyat will get what they are entitled to and not be short-changed.

The Analyser: This is yet another example of the total inability of Malaysians to organise anything.

The whole relief effort should be organised by one agency relying on professional advice, using one avenue for distribution like police stations.

Morning Guy: Surely a simple solution can be found. Why not get those who have received the aid to issue proof of receipt of what was actually being received. Then there will be less manipulation and more transparency.

Our government officers need to improve their services. Why so difficult?

Anonymous_1544340881: Actually, I read "according to the situation" differently. It depends on who your MP or the connected distributor is.

If he wants to drive an S-Class Mercedes, for example, then your food aid is less. If he wants to drive only a humble BMW 3 Series, then maybe you get an extra bag of flour. If he wants money to support his mistress, you get nothing. That is the situation perhaps?

Is that what Rina means?

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