KUCHING: The suspect who allegedly robbed disabled man Ho Tiong Hwa of welfare aid through fraudulent ATM withdrawals has denied the accusations, according to investigations carried out by the Welfare Department.
A spokesperson told The Borneo Post that the suspect stated she helped Ho to withdraw his welfare aid but denied keeping the money.
Ho’s request for welfare aid a few years ago was referred to the department by the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Sri Aman office, where the suspect works.
At that time, the Welfare Department’s Sri Aman office requested the suspect help to inform Ho to open a bank account for the welfare aid to be banked into.
The suspect claimed she was asked by Ho and his younger sister to assist them to fill in the application form to open a bank account after they encountered some problems at the bank.
“After that, she claims that she only assisted Ho to make withdrawals on a few occasions and not every month. She said that Ho would ask for her help whenever his younger sister was unable to help him as Ho is illiterate. The suspect also claims that all the money was handed over to Ho,” said the spokesperson, who declined to be identified.
“The department always ensures that aid monies are channelled directly to the client’s bank account and we also conduct checks on third party referrals.
“This is the first case of this kind that we know of. (Unfortunately), the client’s (Ho) health problems and illiteracy has been manipulated by other parties.”
The spokesperson did not confirm whether the department plans to review current procedures of depositing welfare aid into the bank accounts of clients referred to them through a third party.
“Third party channels include sources such as ketua kampung, penghulu, non-government organisations and others. These references are still needed to help eradicate poverty; however, detailed information has to be submitted also,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said he was unaware of the allegations involving his staff, when replying to an SMS query yesterday.
“Actually, I’m ignorant of the case. I met Ho Tiong Hwa at his house and the Welfare Department Sri Aman officer regarding the matter,” he replied.
Harden, who is also Simanggang assemblyman, confirmed that the suspect belongs to the SUPP Simanggang Branch, of which he is the chairman.
However, he declined to comment on allegations cited by an online news portal that he had offered half the sum of the allegedly misappropriated aid to Ho to settle the matter.
Harden said he will let the Welfare Department and police handle the case.