The front-paged photo on thesundaypost (January 25th, 2015 edition) that raise concern.
KUCHING: The front-paged photo on thesundaypost showing SK Sungai Lemaus pupils from Changgai Dali longhouse in a small boat without life jackets had sparked concerns among some readers, including a minister.
Among the questions raised were why the pupils did not wear life jackets, why the boat was sardine-packed, and where were the adults?
“Those questions were among the first things that crossed my mind when I looked at the photo,” said Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah to reporters at a function on Monday. She said by right children who travelled by boat to school had been provided with new life jackets by the State Education Department.
However, after a quick probe, Fatimah said she realised the pupils were only travelling over a very short distance as the school gate was flooded.
“The pupils were actually travelling through this means temporarily as they can actually walk on the inundated road but refused to get their shoes wet,” said Fatimah, who is also Dalat assemblywoman.
Despite speculations, Fatimah said the picture could be a good reminder to parents, teachers and students that it was not an option for students not to wear life jackets and to avoid overcrowding. Young children, she added, must always be accompanied by adults.
“I am also thankful to the public for their sensitivities and concern over the photo.”
Meanwhile, Fatimah said pictures in the social media about packets of sugar being divided into smaller packets as part of the food aid from the State Welfare Department was blown out of context.
“I admit it did look bad in the pictures, but the smaller sugar packs were the measurements that were given to the suppliers as part of the food packs by the department. The food packs also include rice, coffee, tea, salt, instant noodles, biscuits and canned food.”
Each food packs were measured to feed two persons. “A family of four will receive two food packs, while a family of six will receive three food packs, and so forth.”