YAYASAN Perak has refuted claims it will stop distributing food boxes to the needy, especially in areas represented by opposition assemblymen starting next month. 

Its administrative manager Mohamad Hidayat Abd Halim said Yayasan Perak would continue to channel the aid regardless of area and make improvements to ensure the target group directly benefitted. 

He said the foundation took all complaints received seriously, including allegations that items in food boxes were repacked before political party logo stickers were put on them, quantities of food packages were changed, and items were not distributed according to quota and set period. 

Mohamad Hidayat said the act of repacking or putting other stickers on the boxes to cover food labels and deadlines for distributing them could result in recipients receiving expired food items. 

“Taking the complaints received seriously, Yayasan Perak has recommended that the distribution method be improved to ensure the aid reaches the target group and that the quantity and quality of the food items distributed are always satisfactory,” he said in a statement today. 

As such, Mohamad Hidayat said beginning October, food boxes would no longer be channelled through any assemblyman’s community service centre but would be distributed directly by Yayasan Perak in collaboration with civil society organisations appointed by the foundation. 

He also stressed that the foundation would ensure every food box was safe after going through prescribed quality control processes. 

“Yayasan Perak is also committed to complying with the state government’s policy as set by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad so that the distribution of food box aid to the needy is done fairly,” he said. 

“The foundation will continue to establish good relations with all elected representatives in the state and always be open to sharing information to ensure that those in need of food assistance in their respective areas are well served,” he said. 

Yesterday, Perak opposition leader Razman Zakaria claimed in a Facebook posting that the distribution of 50 food boxes for the opposition’s community service centres for the month of October had been stopped. – Bernama, September 30, 2023.