THE Air Putih service centre handed out medical and financial aid totalling approximately RM25,000 to some of its needy residents and organisations today.
Soon after presenting the items and cheques to various recipients, Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng, who is also the Bagan MP, urged the ruling government not to hold the 15th General Election during the monsoon season to alleviate the suffering of the people.
He said as it is now, even without floods, some people are already seeking assistance to get on with their lives because of the bad economy.
“For the Federal Government to plan to hold the election during the monsoon season when there will be a lot of floods, I think it is highly irresponsible.
“If you add (the elections) to the floods, I think this will make it intolerable for the rakyat. It is not wise to hold any elections during this period. Do it after the monsoon season, so that you do not add to the burdens of the rakyat. Don’t double the sufferings of the rakyat,” Guan Eng said after the aid presentation.
Among the recipients were 61-year-old T. Mahasperi (medical aid), Pertubuhan Penganut Dewa Tiong Tuah Guan Suay, Cert Georgetown, Persatuan Penganut Dewi Tao Bo Hye Keat Georgetown, Persatuan Penganut Dewa Tua Pek Kong Air Itam Dam, Penang Hill Jeep Service, senior citizen Radatha Nadesan (special milk supply and diapers), Kong Min School Old Pupils Association, and Paya Terubong Voluntary Fire Brigade.
Also present were Senator Lim Hui Ying, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, MPKK Taman Reservoir chairman Khaw Sim Choi and MPKK Taman Sempadan chairman N. Nelson.
Just recently, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government would not dissolve the state legislative assembly if GE15 is held during the monsoon season.
He said the risks to voters’ lives are too high if polls are held during the flood-prone period.
On another matter, Guan Eng said he would accept an invitation by Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan to a special briefing session at the minister’s office in Putrajaya on Oct 5 over the issue of acute labour shortage.
Guan Eng had earlier criticised Saravanan over the ministry’s handling of the issue, citing a pathetic 12% success rate in getting foreign workers to enter Malaysia.
He said the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) had highlighted that only an estimated 47,000 foreign workers have entered Malaysia, or 12% of the approved 385,000 applicants since January 2022.
Saravanan, in his invitation to Guan Eng, however, said the process of entry of foreign workers into Malaysia is out of his ministry’s jurisdiction.
When informing the press that he would be meeting Saravanan on Oct 5, Guan Eng said the session should be open to the media.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian