Give aid where due, not based on political affiliation, says social activist

GEORGE TOWN – A long time social activist has bared the ugly truth about the distribution of financial aid to those in need.

Instead of aid being provided without fear or favour, it is handed out based on the political affiliation of the applicant.

Revealing this, Penang Hindu Association president P. Murugiah said that this has now become a practise by politicians or their representatives at service centres.

“Such practises must stop,” he told The Vibes. “Although not all politicians are condoning it, the matter was brought to my attention when we attend to destitute cases.

“They are asked irrelevant questions, those which are unrelated to their plight such as their political affiliation and if they had voted previously.”

Murugiah said that the art of channelling out aid is based on charitable principles, where people are helped regardless of their race, religion, creed, and – especially – political leanings. “Help the poor and the needy; check their voter status later.

“I now help many cases which are turned down by elected representatives. These elected representatives also help only when there is funding.

“My advice is this: as representatives of the people, one must innovate to obtain aid, and not to just depend on public funds. Some state assembly persons do it, but the majority just sit and wait for the money,” he said.

Murugiah also urged elected representatives to explore the channels available to obtain aid at the federal level which has many agencies overseeing the plight of the disfranchised.

“Authorities should stop imposing too many conditions before aid is granted,” he added.

Help the poor and the needy; check their voter status later.

There are exceptions, however. Murugiah cited Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong as an example of a politician who shares what he does on social media.

This has resonated because it shows how Covid-19 has greatly impacted society, despite reports of economic recovery. The economic pain lingers compared to the virus itself.

He also said that Sim’s postings have gone viral on social media because it has proven that he does not help people based on their race, religion, colour, and creed.

Murugiah, who is also a Sisantha Free Clinic coordinator, said politicians should follow Sim's example to lend a helping hand by not only providing aid but solutions as well.

“Many families are suffering financially due to the pandemic. Some families from the low middle-income group (B40) are only eating one or two meals a day.

“The government should have a mechanism to help the B40, as they are illiterate. I feel the target group is not getting the subsidised cooking oil, and it is being hijacked to food manufacturing plants and restaurants. Some shops are even selling this controlled item at higher than the price set by the government,” he said.

Murugiah also said the government should ensure that aid for those in the B40 category be channelled without any hindrance.

Sim had on Tuesday gifted a RM4,500 motorcycle to a food deliverer from Kelantan, who is currently working in Bukit Mertajam.

Earlier this month, Sim helped a single mother, with 10 children find a new home when she was evicted from her rented house.

He also helped a security guard who was sleeping on a damp mattress at a market in his constituency find a home.

Sim and his assistant also played an instrumental role in trying to help an Indonesian maid Adelina Lisao, 21, who was allegedly abused by her employers at a home in Bukit Mertajam in February 2018.

Adelina, from East Nusa Tenggara, however passed away a day after she was rescued. – The Vibes, April 15, 2021