KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Welfare Department has been urged to improve the management at relief centres, especially on the supply of food for flood victims.
Ayer Hitam Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said this after visiting several relief centres in his constituency in Johor and discovering the poor quality of food prepared for the flood victims.
The MCA president said some of the victims had also received raw rice in addition to the dismal food quality.
He added that the food sent had also arrived late to relief centres with breakfast only available after 11am, lunch after 4pm and dinner as late as 10pm.
"I'm saddened to see the food being delivered late, and of poor quality. People eat breakfast but it's delivered at 10am or 11am. The lunch also lacks side dishes.
"I'm disappointed and I see that this is not well-prepared," he said in a short video recording while showing a food pack of white rice with a piece of chicken in gravy.
The video uploaded on his social media is believed to have been recorded this evening when he visited a school in Taman Kota, Yong Peng.
The relief centre accommodates approximately 375 flood victims from 105 families.
Wee also claimed that several relief centres in Ayer Hitam faced the same situation, causing many flood victims to starve due to the delay in food delivery.
He suggested for the Welfare Department to allow people to cook their own food.
Wee said he had contacted the relevant minister and requested that the issue be dealt with immediately.
"Pity the flood victims who are facing difficult times right now.
"I also want to say that if the food provider is unable to shoulder this responsibility, it is better to let it be handled by the local Village Development and Security Committee.
"Let them work together to cook using the necessities that I have prepared for the residents," he said.
It is understood that Wee's concern has been made aware of by the cabinet minister involved and would be addressed in a press conference tomorrow.