By Ralvin Manikam
Kuala Kangsar, Perak (Pic from The Malay Mail Online)
Reports of Perak BN rejecting RM 100,000 in flood relief donations has been rapped by a DAP Perak leader, who urged the state to reverse their decision.
“BN Perak is irresponsible, heartless and soulless for rejecting the donation for flood victims,” DAP Perak Economic Development bureau Chief Chong Zhemin said in a statement this morning.
He was responding to reports quoting Selangor State Exco Dr Daroyah Alwi as saying that the funds from Selangor had been rejected by the Perak State Government.
Weighing in on the issue, Chong said that BN Perak was “childish” to say that the donation would only be accepted were it channeled through an NGO.
“This excuse is totally unacceptable and childish since the Pahang and Terengganu state government has already accepted the donation. If Pahang and Terengganu state government can accept the donation from the Selangor Government, why can’t Perak?” said Chong.
More than 200,000 people have been evacuated in the country’s worst floods in 33 years, the last reported major floods was in 1971. Aid and relief work have been chaotic with the flood reaching some evacuation centres.
The floods, which began on 15 December last year, left about 160,000 homeless. According to Berita Harian, estimated number of damages have skyrocketed to over RM 1 billion.
Chong urged the state to put aside political differences which he says the opposition is prepared to do.
Azmin says Perak received funds
However, in what appears to be a mere miscommunication on the matter, Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali said that the aid was not rejected.
During a press conference at the Selangor State Secretariat building this afternoon, Azmin refuted the claims made by Chong and Daroyah, saying the donation was accepted by Perak MB Zamby Abdul Kadir’s office.
He said that he had “no clue” that the funds were rejected.
“The cheque for the Perak government has already been handed to the office of the Perak Menteri Besar, Zambry Abd Kadir, and the office has already confirmed the receipt of the cheque,” Azmin reportedly said.
According to a report by MalaysiaKini, Daroyah, who was also present at the same press conference, appeared surprised by Azmin’s comment.
She said that it would be better to concur to Azmin’s statement on the matter, and not hers.
“Perhaps that is the latest development. Maybe the (Selangor) Menteri Besar’s Office communicated with the Perak Menteri Besar’s office today. So far, I don’t have that information,” she said. -The Rocket
