Dayang Salmani Ahmad
Halimah Zainuddin
KUCHING: An officer from the Kuching Resident’s Office has denied that the chaos that occurred during the distribution of 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) at the civic centre here yesterday was due to their fault.
The officer said the system was in fact efficient but things got out of hand when the recipients did not follow instructions, while some were pushy and uncompromising.
Initially, the situation was orderly when only the physically challenged and the aged were asked to enter the hall.
However, the situation suddenly turned chaotic when other recipients started to get impatient and entered the hall all at the same time.
The recipients also defied instructions from Rela that the less fortunate (aged and physically-challenged) be allowed to enter the hall first.
Halimah Zainudin, 62, said she agreed that many recipients rushed and ignored the orders, making the situation chaotic.
“Many recipients did not follow orders and procedure. Even I myself almost fainted because of the long wait. By right the others should have the courtesy to allow the physically challenged and the aged to get their vouchers first,” she said.
“I feel happy and also sad today,” she said, adding that she would use the aid to help her less fortunate neighbours.
Dayang Salmani Ahmad, 63, also agreed that the physically challenged should be given priority as it would be stressful for them if the situation was not controlled.
“The others should be decent and courteous. Give way to the handicapped and aged first. The situation today was in fact out of control,” she said.
About 4,000 recipients from Stampin parliamentary constituency were present at the civic centre yesterday.