Dennis (left) hands over food aid to some of the recipients in his constituency, while Telang Usan district officer Baru Tai (right) looks on.
MIRI: The food aid provided by the state and federal governments are intended for disadvantaged communities or families badly affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO) which has now been extended to April 14.
In making this clarification, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said many requests for food assistance had been received from the rural longhouses and villages.
“We brought up the matter to our state leaders and we are very thankful to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for almost immediately approving a special fund totalling RM16.4 million for all divisional disaster management committees in the state to assist our needy people.
“Those in the very rural areas are now in dire need of food as they are not able to travel out of their longhouses due to the MCO,” said Dennis during a ceremony to distribute foodstuff to longhouse representatives at Long Lama community hall on Saturday.
Dennis disclosed that each state assemblyman had been allocated with some amount of state fund to bring relief to the people in need.
“Therefore, I hope our working committee has provided the genuine number of doors or families in the longhouses in Telang Usan constituency.
“I urge my people who are less affected and still can source for food to give way to the badly affected in our community,” said Dennis, adding that this is to ensure that only deserving cases receive the assistance.
Dennis disclosed that they had been told by the suppliers in Miri that they were struggling to source for 2kg cooking oil, one of the four basic items for the food assistance, due to the sudden increase in demand for the item.
Dennis also called for patience as they were trying to reach everyone the soonest possible with the food aid.
Residents of Long Lama bazaar and five nearby longhouses; namely Long Puak, Long Ikang, Logan Sibong, Uma Akeh and Long Banyak home to 505 families received their food aid on Saturday.
The other regions including Apoh, Layun, Patah-Abang, Pelutan, Sungai Akah, Middle Baram, Ulu Tinjar and Ulu Baram comprising 4,000 families or doors are expected to receive the aid by early next week.