Jabu and Uggah (right) share a light moment with the recipients during the aid presentation.
BETONG: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu has denied accusations made by the opposition that authorities had neglected flood and landslide victims of Rumah Anji Bala, Mupoh Baroh.
Jabu stated that as National Security Council chairman, he had personally managed the needs of the victims and coordinated the effort, taking subsequent action within a week of the incident.
He explained that by calculating the damage suffered and actions needed to help the victims, it hastened the relief aid which included the disbursement of a RM500 cash aid.
“The government provides the best possible facilities as a temporary relief for Rumah Anji Bala victims, which also includes food supplies and other necessities to give a little more comfort to the victims who are still holding up there. I also want to ensure that the victims receive enough help from the responsible parties who manage government aid.
“We are not like the opposition who like to twist facts around and make statements to insult the current leadership. They come forward with baseless accusations by making conclusions that can destroy the people’s mindset,” he said when speaking at the presentation of relief for the Rumah Anji Bala victims at the evacuation centre at Dewan Panglima Rentap on Thursday.
He was responding to a recent news report quoting PKR Betong branch chief Vernon Aji Kedit as saying the victims were not given enough attention and support by the authorities.
He went on to say that while giving fast aid was a priority, the best option was to give full aid benefits to the recipients, stressing that the aid given by the government covered all necessities.
Meanwhile, the event on Thursday evening saw the 22 families from Rumah Anji Bala receiving aid of RM500 each and other items including food.
Also present were Jabu’s wife, Datin Sri Empiang Jabu; Plantation, Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; National Security Council representative Shalihin Annuar; Betong Deputy Resident Galong Luang; Betong District Officer Friday Belik; Betong District Police Chief DSP Aidil Bolhassan and other department heads and community leaders.
Uggah, who is also Betong MP, had earlier told reporters that Vernon had made baseless accusations regarding the aid for the Rumah Anji Bala victims.
“He doesn’t know. This reflects his ignorance of what is happening on the ground,” he said when met at the SUPP Chinese New Year open house in Kuching.