Former MP Admits To Dumping Rice & Food Items That He Bought Using His Own Money
Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said stated that no government funds were used to purchase the kitchen goods.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 19 Apr 2024, 01:44 PM
Former Kuala Krau member of parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said has admitted to being responsible for discarding rice and other food items in Temerloh, Pahang
In a statement sighted by SAYS today, 19 April, Ismail said he acknowledged the concern and sensitivity of Malaysians regarding the disposal of rice and other food items at the garbage site in the Rumpun Makmur-Kampung Gunung Senyum area.
"I take full responsibility for the issue of disposal of goods in the area.
"The rice and other food items were a reserve stock that was always prepared in advance to meet the demands of the public when I was the Kuala Krau MP.
"These food items were prepared using personal funds before the 15th General Election in 2022, and the public knows that gifting of items is not allowed during the campaign period.
"The purchase of these food items did not involve the allocation from the federal government or the Pahang state government.
"The stock was also not part of the distribution of goods during the COVID-19 period or preparations for flood relief efforts," explained Ismail, who is also the former deputy home minister.
He added that the food items were discarded after a neighbour alerted him about the foul smell emanating from his kitchen storage area on 5 April
"Upon investigation, mice carcasses were found at the storage. The rice and other food items were contaminated by weevils, and other goods were also no longer suitable for distribution due to contamination.
"Some rice [bags] were handed over to chicken and duck farmers in the surrounding area, while the rest were discarded.
"I take responsibility and deeply regret this matter. I apologise to all parties for the mistake of discarding these food items," Ismail said.
Below is his full statement:
Yesterday, 18 April, videos showing bags of rice and canned sardines being set on fire at a garbage site in Temerloh, Pahang, went viral on social media
The footage depicts the burning of hundreds of 10kg bags of rice and a significant quantity of canned sardines. Some of the cans can be seen charred black.
Some photos also show dozens of boxes and bags of flour and rice vermicelli discarded at the scene.
A social media user had claimed that the act was carried out by a politician who had lost in the 15th General Election.
Below is the video of the items being burned:
