MP: Free food scheme abused
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 28, 2006
Beh Lih Yi

Poor students were supposed to get nutritious meals under the ‘free food scheme’. But a parliamentarian claimed that some of them were only given instant noodles.

According to Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan), the scheme which targets poor primary school students had been abused.

“The scheme has only benefitted the contractors and teachers,” he said in his debate on the allocation for the Education Ministry under Budget 2007 at the Dewan Rakyat today.

The MP suggested that the scheme be replaced with an incentive scheme for poor parents to ensure that their children enjoy nutritious food.

“If their food cost about RM6 a day, then we give them RM180 for a month,” he said.

At this juncture, Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) expressed her agreement saying that such schemes had been implemented in other countries.

'Blood suckers' 

In his ministerial winding-up, Deputy Education Minister Noh Omar said Abdul Ghapur’s allegation ‘might be true’.

“The scheme is meant to provide poor students with nutritious food but I have seen schools which only give students fried meehoon.

“Some of the nasi lemak (served) only has the rice, (there is) no sambal or egg. But some canteens are good as they allow students to choose what they would like to eat,” he said.

Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) interjected and urged the ministry to ensure that the real beneficiaries under the scheme are the students.

“The ministry’s intention is good but it is not implemented accordingly. We shouldn’t let ‘blood suckers’ benefit from this scheme,” he said.

Meanwhile, Noh also said the government will consider Abdul Ghapur’s suggestion to replace the existing scheme with an incentive scheme. 
   
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