In describing aid recipients as “animals”, Nik Aziz fails to comprehend the concept of a “welfare state”
26 February 2013
Press statement by MCA Publicity Bureau chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie
In describing aid recipients as "animals", Nik Aziz fails to comprehend the concept of a "welfare state"
In likening aid recipients as "chickens" and "cows," this proves that PAS spiritual adviser Dato' Seri Nik Aziz clearly does not understand the concept of a "welfare state." It further proves that PAS has embarked on a "welfare state" campaign purely for sloganeering. It is only skin deep and is used as a means to shore up votes.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz has insulted the BN government's BR1M RM500 cash aid initiative disbursement as "scattering padi and coconut husks in front of chickens and cows to entice them to come closer." He even declared that the PAS-led Kelantan state government is different from the Barisan Nasional government in that PAS's usage religious knowledge and struggle will gain people's support.
Assistance to improve livelihoods
These one–off BR1M cash aid is given regardless of race, religion and political background to show the government's appreciation to the people as well as to reduce the burden of low income household families who are earning less than RM3,000 per month. BR1M is not the rakyat's money but sourced from the extra national income due to the success of the New Economic Model and Economic Transformation Programme under the leadership of the our Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak.
This is the first time in our record that in 2012, our national income reached RM200 billion compared to previously which was between RM150 bil to RM180 bil. It is with this extra income of nearly RM20bil to RM50bil, that the BN government, as a responsible government decided to share with the rakyat especially to help the poor and underprivileged. Thus we have BR1M RM500.
The BN government has also given out RM200 book vouchers for undergraduates, RM100 for primary and secondary schoolchildren, RM200 grocery shopping vouchers for poor households especially single mothers, OKUs and the elderly to buy groceries, diapers and daily needs.
Pakatan's accusations nonsense
Getting redeemed: The recipients who qualified for the BR1M 2.0 queuing up to register their names.
Pakatan's accusations that all these people-centric initiatives waste the rakyat's money are false and nonsense. Besides that, these cash aids will stimulate the domestic economy and assist our local entrepreneurs especially the petty traders, retailers and SMIs.
Nik Aziz's slurs seriously insult the poor and disadvantaged groups especially those who are struggling for survival. This BR1M should be welcomed as the government's caring initiative to help the rakyat. How is PAS able to talk about a "welfare state" when the truth is that, they do not even understand the meaning of welfare and even do not agree with its basic philosophy of welfare.
PAS focuses only on rhetoric. Their state governments have ignored the necessity to develop direct and effective measures to help the poor and needy groups. It is no wonder that under PAS' governance, Kedah and more so Kelantan in the last 20 years, have not seen any economic development. Kelantan has regressed to be the most backward and poorest state in all of Malaysia besides experiencing a host of social problems such as the highest number of single mothers, rape cases, youth unemployment and drug addiction.
Nik Aziz's typical demeaning remarks
As a Menteri Besar, the PAS spiritual adviser Nik Aziz should be more caring and compassionate. But disappointingly, his offensive comments have hurt the feelings and dignity of the poor and underprivileged especially all BR1M recipients.
Formerly, he had declared that "women who do not cover up their aurat deserved to be rape." His series of political remarks are worrisome as they portray extremist religious ideology.
Paradoxically, Nik Aziz should fully co-operate and support, rather that oppose and sabotage the federal government's initiatives which also benefit his Kelantan residents. If Nik Aziz is a responsible leader with a conscience, I urge him to apologise to all welfare beneficiaries especially BR1M recipients for his insult.
According to data from the Ministry of Finance, BR1M 2.0 will benefit 2.7 million unmarried individuals and 4.3 million households, where up to RM3billion will be disbursed.
Datuk Heng Seai Kie
MCA Publicity Bureau chairman
MCA Deputy National Organising Secretary
-MCA online-
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