KUCHING: The public should not treat flood evacuation centres as dumping grounds for torn or worn-out clothes and used items, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She added that while the government welcomes public contributions to help ease the burden of flood victims, the people are urged to coordinate with government agencies or district-level disaster management committees before making donations.
"This is something unacceptable that has happened before. Some people donate used items to PPS, but they are no longer usable.
"We do not want PPS to become a disposal site for second-hand goods.
"To prevent this from recurring, those who wish to contribute should coordinate with the relevant agencies so that officials can monitor the items being sent," she told reporters after visiting the PPS at Dewan Haji Kamaruddin in Kampung Segedup today.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas also reminded individuals or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who wish to offer donations not to give them directly to the victims.
He said all donations, whether cash or goods, should be made through the secretariat of the State Disaster Management Committee.
"For example, if there are individuals or NGOs who want to donate to flood victims in Bintulu, they should send the donations to the Bintulu Resident's Office, which is also the secretariat for the State Disaster Management Commitee at the division and district levels.
"This step is taken to avoid confusion, and we want to coordinate all donations so that they can be distributed in an orderly manner to those who truly need them," he said after visiting the flood evacuation centre at SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa today.