Pahang villagers claim duped into PKR membership during aid programme

Recipients of aid packages in a village near Kuantan, Pahang, claim they were registered as PKR members without their knowledge.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Cenderawasih villager Mazita Ahmad, 58, said programme personnel last Sunday told recipients the aid was from PKR and asked them to show their identity cards to be photographed before collecting the packages.

“But I didn’t give (my identity card) and moved on from there after receiving the box from the personnel,” said the single mother.

She also said no one told her that recipients were required to register as party members.

Despite this, Mazita said she received a message that night indicating she had signed up with PKR.

“I only gave my phone number... that night I received a short message in the form of an OTP (one-time password) number to access the Adil website,” she said, referring to PKR’s membership portal.

Mazita said such a tactic was unprecedented in the village and called it desperate and unethical.

“This is a very shameful matter, willing to take advantage like this just for the interest of their party,” she said.

The programme was understood to have been organised by the Indera Mahkota Parliamentary Madani Community Centre.

Another recipient, who identified herself only as Siti, 41, said there were no banners or posters at the event, only a white tent and several tables.

She said she was merely told to collect the aid and, while queuing, was asked by personnel to have her identity card photographed.

“When asked why, they informed me it was for record purposes. I didn’t even know it was for the purpose of registering as their party member,” she told Malaysiakini, adding that she too was subsequently registered.

Village rep decries politicisation of aid

Cenderawasih Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) representative Asyraf Ibrahim said he was disappointed by the alleged incident.

“We in Cenderawasih live in peace and harmony, never making party differences an issue in aid distribution matters.

“Even in the JPKK, representatives from all parties are chosen to be committee members to ensure every aid from any party can be distributed in an orderly manner.

“I am really disappointed when informed that things like this happened; it is very unhealthy for the good relations among the residents here,” he said.

Asyraf said aid distribution to eligible Cenderawasih residents was normally channelled through Semambu assemblyperson Chan Chun Kuang and had previously proceeded without problems.

He said Chan frequently visited the village and did not discriminate based on political affiliation.

“He (Chan) never invited us to join PKR; he carries out his duties well, and every aid channelled here, he never chooses who should receive it.

“He doesn’t even ask which party the recipient is from, just that those eligible to receive it will indeed get it.

“Likewise, if the aid is from Umno or PAS, we distribute it as best as possible to residents who are truly eligible,” Asyraf stressed.

When contacted, Chan said he was unaware of Sunday’s programme.

“That needs to be asked of the Indera Mahkota Madani Community Centre; it is their programme... I really don’t know,” he said briefly.

In a statement later, Chan said he disagrees with any attempt to abuse aid distribution programmes and urged PKR to investigate the allegations.

He also said assistance to the people must be distributed according to needs and without looking at the recipients' racial and religious background and their political leanings.

Participation in a political party should stem from a conviction in its ideals, principles and vision rather than being enticed by financial assistance, goods or any form of reward, Chan added.

"I urge the party to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action if there have been any breaches of the principles or procedures in place, so that all allegations can be properly clarified.

"We must ensure that assistance to the people remains a responsibility and a trust, rather than being used as a political tool.

"At the same time, the party’s reputation and integrity must always be upheld," he stressed.

Centre denies claims of aid deception

The community centre’s manager, Saifulzaman Mahmood, meanwhile, denied allegations that villagers were “cheated” into receiving aid.

“The party member registration programme is indeed carried out continuously by Indera Mahkota PKR Youth, and personnel will inform the registration date to those interested.

“Regarding the distribution of aid boxes, there is a difference between the Madani Box and the ‘party-specific box’ for old and new members.

“Recipients should have already known about this.

“However, our party asks if there is information related to villagers who feel cheated by the programme, to provide information so that investigation and follow-up action can be taken,” he said in a Facebook comment.

Malaysiakini has also contacted PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh for comment.

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