Liew (4th right) handing over food baskets to the Muslim community at Masjid Al-Nur Iman at Kg Check Point, Batu 38, Jalan Semporna-Tawau.
TAWAU: Extra caution is exercised to avoid COVID-19 infection in implementing the food basket programme under the National People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package (Pemulih), said Tawau MP Datuk Christina Liew.
She said this is one of the challenges faced by her and her team of workers from the Tawau Parliamentary People’s Service Centre.
Liew (centre) handing over food baskets to the Muslim community at Masjid Nurul Iman at Batu 2 1/2, Jalan Apas.
“To avoid contact with recipients from community infection clusters, we would place the food baskets at a certain location for them to collect.
“Other challenges include accessibility and logistics, given the sporadic population in the more remote parts of the parliamentary constituency,” she told reporters after presenting food baskets to the Muslim community at Masjid Kg Hj Sundu on Monday.
Liew, who is also Api Api Assemblywoman, went from mosque to mosque to distribute the food aid to the respective mosque committees or representatives last Sunday and on Monday.
“For this round, we have registered 20 mosques as beneficiaries of the Pemulih food basket programme. Our distribution exercise is timely in view of the Hari Raya Aidil Adha celebration.
“Prior to this, we gave out 323 food baskets to 16 church communities in the Sri Tanjung and Balung state constituencies,” she said, adding that altogether 600 food baskets were delivered to the mosques in the Apas and Balung state constituencies.
The beneficiaries comprised Masjid Saydina Abu Bakar Tinagat Batu 8; Masjid Nurul Hidayah Batu Payung; Masjid Nurul Falah Membalua; Masjid Nurul Jihad Kinabutan Ria; Masjid Kg Perpaduan; Masjid Nurul Awal Sungai Apas; Masjid Taufiq Al Hidayah Apas Parit; Masjid Babul Jannah Gading Darat; Masjid Nurul Iman Juragan; Masjid Nurul Huda Wakuba; Masjid Kg Air; Masjid Kg Hidayat; Masjid Kg Hj Sundu; Masjid Kg Hj Saleh; Masjid Kg Titingan Hujung; Masjid PPRT Titingan; Masjid Kg Sadani; Masjid Kongsi 8; Masjid Kongsi 10; and Masjid Tawau Lama.
Liew was assisted by senior personnel from the Tawau Parliamentary People’s Service Centre and Grace Lee, a liaison officer from Api Api DUN Office. Also present was Imam Sahrul Zakaria.
On whether the target of 4,000 food baskets is sufficient, the Tawau MP said she will source for funds from big-hearted sponsors to top up the quantity to meet any shortfall. “More and more people are coming forward to ask for food relief. Big families need more food supply. For instance, I just can’t give only one food basket, say for a family of 12.”
Liew (2nd left)Â handing over food baskets to the Muslim community at Masjid Al Madinah Batu 33. (IMG-20210718-WA0044)
According to Liew, since the launch of the Pemulih Food Basket Programme in Tawau on July 8, which saw the initial distribution of 200 food baskets to residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 200 food baskets had been handed over to Sri Tanjung State Assemblyman Justin Wong for his constituents, and 100 others to PKR Kalabakan.
Meanwhile, she disclosed that she had also delivered 100 food baskets to the Founder cum Chairman of Tawau Hand in Hand Centre, Datuk Chin Chee Syn, for members in need.
“Other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are welcome to register with the Tawau Parliamentary People’s Service Centre for the food basket programme. For inquiries, they or the public may contact any of the seven liaison officers from the Centre,” she said.
They are Fung Thin Yein (0126114700), Robert Penggai (0102027901), Putra Hj Andon (0133800332), Lucy Lo (0138832399),
Samuel Fung (0128670030), Rudi Abu (0178353383) and Diyan Ayu Zaenal (0178118019).
