KUCHING: Second Plantation and Commodity Industries Deputy Minister Willie Mongin has denied allegations by a handful of people in his constituency that he misappropriated money meant for food aid to the people affected by the ongoing movement control order (MCO).
“Certain people said that MPs received RM200,000 each from the state government for Covid-19 disaster aid, but that is not true because that money is given to state assemblymen only.
“What we (MPs) were given were 1,000 food baskets for distribution by the Welfare Department. The rest were my personal contributions and from Puncak Borneo Parliamentary Service Centre,” he said.
Hence, the people concerned should not create such fake stories about him as it could tarnish his reputation, he said.
Mongin also regretted that some village heads in Puncak Borneo constituency had refused to cooperate with him and his team in coordinating the distribution of food toeligible families.
“Because of the negative attitude of these irresponsible village chiefs, the villagers became their victims,” said Willie, adding that he had reported the matter to the District Officer and the State Secretary.
While he thanked those village heads who were supportive and had helped coordinate the distribution of the food aid, Willie advised the uncooperative ones to put politics aside for the sake of their own people.
He disclosed that the list of food aid recipients had been finalised.
There were 13,799 food parcels ready for distribution to all villages in Puncak Borneo constituency.
“It is not easy to source for money to buy 12,790 food parcels,” he said, “but the people who are experience hardship must be helped.”
