KUCHING: The state government has decided to extend its food assistance programme to 16,000 households in Kapit division in a swift response to assist those who are affected by the imposition of movement control order (MCO) from Feb 2 to 15.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan who announced the initiative said the state government had set aside RM1.42 million including transportation cost to provide food assistance to be distributed in stages beginning Feb 4.
The food assistance programme will cover two districts, namely Kapit and Song which includes four constituencies, namely Pelagus; Katibas; Bukit Goram and Belaga (Nanga Merit), he said.
“As we know, movements are limited with the MCO and therefore the state government decided to provide some assistance to ease the burden of our affected communities.
“Each household will receive food assistance amounting to RM70 on a ‘one-off’ basis.
“We will supply basic food items such as rice, sugar, flour, canned sardines, tea, coffee, cooking oil, dry biscuits and instant noodles during this MCO period,” he said in a press conference at Wisma Sumber Alam, here today.
Awang Tengah, who is also the chairman of the Food Supply Chain Committee said the funds will be channelled to the Kapit Divisional Disaster Management Committee and to be supported by the District Disaster Management Committee of Kapit, Song and Belaga.
He also noted that the distribution of the assistance would be coordinated by the divisional and district disaster management committees together with relevant government agencies.
Additionally, he said the divisional and district disaster management committees had also been directed to identify eligible recipients in the affected areas and suitable modes of transportation needed to deliver the assistance.
“We have discussed identifying areas that need helicopters as well as boats for food assistance delivery,” he added.
He also mentioned that there were currently 442 longhouses affected by the MCO, namely 268 longhouses in Kapit district and 174 in Song district.
On that note, he said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) had assured enough essential food items to be stocked up at the point of sales in Kapit division.
Also present at the press conference were Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Utilities Assistant Minister Datuk Liwan Lagang and Deputy State Secretary Datuk Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.
