KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities and non-governmental organisations had been urged to tighten safety measures at free food coupon events.
This is in the wake of the death of two elderly citizens at a similar charity event at ICC Pudu late last month.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said that she has taken note of the matter as the ICC Pudu event was organised by a non-governmental organization (NGO).
“We had taken note (of the issue). (I) Was informed by the Health director-general that it (ICC Pudu event) was under an NGO (and we are looking at) how to tighten (safety measures at such events).
“It is a noble practice to give something (at charity events) but we must also take into account that these people (at such events) may be old and elderly, and thus we need to safeguard their welfare.
“(We will) ask them to look into the matter as these things can sometimes get out beyond our control.
“We have to look at intervention and tighten ways and means to help reach out to them (NGOs).
“Sometimes we do not know (when) an NGO holds such programmes. It is a good programme but when such a tragedy happens, we need to take this into account,” she said.
She was speaking to reporters after attending Chinese New Year celebration at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) here today.
Among those also present were Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, and KLSCAH president Datuk Ong Seng Khek.
She was commenting on the steps the government would take to avert a repeat of the tragedy at ICC Pudu on Jan 28.
It was reported that two female senior citizens were found dead, believed to be due to breathing difficulties, while waiting for their turn to get free food coupons at ICC Pudu at noon on that day.
The deceased were identified as Ah Poh, 85, and Law Ion Nang, 78.
Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Shaharuddin Abdullah said police received information at 12.04pm that six senior citizens had fainted at ICC Pudu in Jalan Kijang.
“When the team arrived at the scene, they found two bodies lying on the floor. Investigations found no criminal element involved in the case,” he said.
Shaharuddin said initial investigation found that ICC Pudu operator and hawker union was distributing free food coupons to senior citizens between 11am and 1pm.
“The coupon can be used at the same place on Feb 11 to get free food. The organiser only allocated 200 coupons but more than 1,000 flooded the venue.
“The victims were believed to have died of suffocation while waiting for their turn to get the coupons,” he said.
Police had classified the case as sudden death.
Meanwhile when asked if there is a move by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, to protect the elderly especially women, Wan Azizah said that they are looking at the Welfare Department to give the necessary aid.
“It is not just women (that need help) in terms of savings, as husbands who are heads of households also need the EPF (Employees Provident Fund) to cover them.
“At the moment we are looking at the Welfare Department to give cost of living aid and other welfare aid (to men and women in need),” she said.