By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, March 31 — The state representatives in Selangor welcome and will abide by the limited number of volunteers set by the state government for the delivery of food and aid to the vulnerable communities.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei, however, said a mechanism has to be in place to allow NGOs to operate the humanitarian works as well during the movement control order (MCO) period.
“I understand the need to reduce movement and hence exposure during the MCO period and the need for the state government to comply with the National Security Council (NSC) guidelines.
“However, my concern would be that this does not resolve the NGO (non-governmental organisation) restriction issue. The organisations and JKM (Social Welfare Department) are still very unclear on how they can operate,” said Lim when contacted by Selangor Journal yesterday.
“I think it’s great that the state government came out early with a guideline for volunteers distributing aid and I hope the Federal government can do the same.”
Lim had also voiced her concern that the limited number of 10 volunteers would not be sufficient to carry out the task in large areas.
“I am thankful that the Menteri Besar and state executive councillor is allowing 10 volunteers per constituency… (but) 10 volunteers are not enough for larger DUNs (constituencies),” she said.
Lim said she had already submitted the names of the 10 volunteers, who would have to be screened for Covid-19, and is awaiting updates from the State Health, Welfare, Women Empowerment and Family Committee office.
Meanwhile, Dusun Tua assemblyman Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof said he will continue delivering food and other forms of assistance based on the guidelines stated by the Selangor government.
“The Selangor government is restricting only 10 volunteers in each constituency. We will follow that.
“I have already submitted the 10 names and all of them will have to go through the Covid-19 screening,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Edry said he will be coordinating the operations from the command centre at his home.
The Selangor government had imposed the restriction on the delivery of humanitarian aid following the Federal government’s directive on Saturday that had barred NGOs from delivering food and other forms of assistance directly to the vulnerable groups.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had yesterday clarified that the instruction was made due to safety and health reasons.
