KOTA KINABALU: Two brothers in Sabah’s rural Pensiangan district have had to use their Bantuan Prihatin Nasional cash aid to settle their police fines for breaking the movement control order, instead of using it for their families.

Joel Anam, 33, and Joni, 24, were fined RM1,000 each for breaking the “one car, one person” rule. Joel does not own a car, and Joni is unemployed.

Both men are breadwinners for their families, with Joel having three children, and Joni a child.

Joel said he had hitched a ride from his brother to go from their village in Sook to Keningau to withdraw money to buy supplies on April 14 when they were stopped at a roadblock at Jalan Durok Keningau.

“A return journey would have cost me about RM100, so I decided to save the money and go with Joni, who is the only one in the family with a car,” he said.

Joel works as a gardener in a school in Sook. Joni was also a gardener at the same school but lost his job earlier this year.

The two men said they are now forced to do without the RM1,000 cash aid they received under the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional scheme, but will use the remaining RM600 they will receive next month for their families.

Households with an income of RM4,000 and below are entitled to a cash aid of RM1,600 to be paid in two instalments.

According to their village chief, Emoh, the brothers had approached him for help.

“So, on April 16, I went to the local health office to appeal to them to reduce or cancel the compound.

“However, the health officer said the fines must be paid in full but the brothers may file an appeal in court after the MCO is lifted.

” We can only hope the court will be kind to them,” he said.

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Genuine case like this is very sad.

I too know of few who still have not withdrawn their Bantuan Prihatin Nasional money because of lack of transport.

Even though they stay close to the city, the Taman they are in do not have a Bank outlet. They have trouble walking because of Knee Replacement or Knee Arthritis or Edema or in sickness.  Even to purchase food from the nearest retail shop or kedai makan is painful.  Normal walking distance to purchase food is 15 mins but because of their problem it takes them an hour or so.  Getting help from neighbours are not easy today because people are selfish and inhuman.  I too face the same inhuman treatment when certain neighbours show their hesitation or just walk away when ask for help.

Authorities are too harsh in their treatment to genuine cases but when VIP or Ministers misused their position and power under MCO, no one takes action.  Even Judges are more friendly to VIP and Ministers. I know of certain VVIP and UMNO elites who gather nightly in Kenny Hill to gamble, drink and having pool sex these past 35 days, but who dare to take action against them? 

WHY THE NEED TO APPLY DOUBLE STANDARD?  

Till today Rina Harun have not bother to rectify her weakness and lack of empathy towards her voters who are in need of medical and food.

More than a month under MCO, Rina Harun is still nowhere to be seen or found, while 300 families are still without food supply.  People like me cannot help all the time because I too need financial support from others.