GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is “aware” of possible discrepancies in managing the approvals of applications for a RM700 flood aid for victims following the state’s worst flooding last November.
A statement issued by the corporate communications and innovation unit of the State Secretary Office this evening, said an internal investigation had been launched to identify the discrepancies, including the person involved and also non-compliance in approving the applications of victims.
The statement, available in both Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Buletin Mutiara’s Facebook pages, was made in response to claims made by Pulau Betong assemblyman Datuk Dr Muhammad Farid Saad earlier today.
The statement said the discrepancies were referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Feb 15, and further action would be taken by the anti-graft body.
“The state administration will issue a report pertaining to the incident once the investigation has been completed, and identified the cause of the discrepancies in the flood aid,” it added.
The Umno lawmaker had claimed that some undeserving people were given the RM700 flood aid by the state government.
Farid said he had received complaints from his constituents in Balik Pulau about the matter.
He said his constituents had asked him why people who were not affected by the floods had received the RM700 aid? They also revealed that there was a family where several people had received RM700 each, when each household was only supposed to receive RM700 in total.
“As such, I hope the Penang government will explain about the ineligible aid recipients, especially in Balik Pulau,” he said today.
Farid, who is also a state Public Accounts Committee member, said the state government owed the people an explanation as it involved public funds.
“It would be extremely unfortunate if those tasked with approving flood aid have misused their powers on purpose.
“Using the flood aid to take care of cronies and to gain political support is against the ‘Competent, Accountable and Transparent’ mantra of the state government,” he added.
The RM700 flood aid was part of the Penang Bounces Back programme. RM200 of the amount was sourced from public donations. A total of RM19.2 million was raised.
The state government disbursed the RM700 flood aid to 48,424 residents, adding up to a total of RM33.4 million.
The Federal Government, through the ministries, also announced various types of aid for the flood victims.