KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has slammed Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin following the latter’s statement saying that the government’s food baskets have filled the kitchen shelves of many Malaysians.
Taking to social media, Najib pointed out it is impossible for the items in the food basket to be enough for a family.
The Pekan MP listed items contained in the food basket including, rice (5kg), sugar (1kg), flour (2kg), noodles (400g), soy sauce (450ml), sardines (230g), biscuits and coffee.
With a budget of RM21 million for this welfare programme, which aims to provide 420,000 food baskets, Najib said, this meant that each food basket cost RM50.
“I am made to understand that the cost of food in this programme is RM40, while packaging (including political stickers) and delivery would come to RM10,” he said.
Commenting further, Najib said Perikatan Nasional merely spent RM5 million on the programme, while the remaining RM16 million were contributed by Yayasan Petronas (RM5 million), Aeon Big (RM4 million), Pharmaniaga (RM3 million), Tenaga Nasional Bhd (RM2 million), and Telekom Malaysia (RM2 million).
The Pagoh MP then reminded the government that it announced RM5 billion would be sought from the National Trust Fund to cover the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme.
However, Malaysia received a donation of one million vaccines from America, one million from Japan, and 500,000 from China.
“With a rough estimate that one dose costs RM60, the government has already saved RM150 million,” Najib added.
The cost savings, he pointed out, should be used to improve the government’s food basket programme.
“If your intention is to assist the needy, who are in financial crisis, with food, then help them sincerely,” Najib said. – The Vibes, July 24, 2021
