IPOH, 12 Nov 2008: The Perak government should not use the RM2 million allocation under the People’s Special Welfare Fund to help the families of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.
Instead, former Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali has told his successor Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and the 10 Pakatan Rakyat state executive council members, the fund should benefit needy Perak residents only.
“I am not saying the families of ISA detainees do not need help. If they do, find another source to help them,” he told reporters outside the state legislative assembly hall today.
Tajol Rosli, who is Pengkalan Hulu assemblyperson, was commenting on the setting up of the special fund by the Perak government under the state 2009 Budget which was tabled by Mohammad Nizar at the 10 Nov assembly sitting.
The fund aims to provide assistance to those who are sick with chronic diseases, orphans, single mothers, the disabled, old folks and families of ISA detainees.
A committee will manage the fund. The state government will ensure that its companies and subsidiaries contribute annually to the fund.
Tajol Rosli pointed out that police officers and soldiers who made even bigger contributions to the nation, to the extent of risking their lives, also deserved assistance from the fund.
He said the state government should not be providing material comfort for the ISA detainees’ families through the fund, but could provide them moral support.
Pangkor assemblyperson Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said Mohammad Nizar and his exco members should instead use their positions as leaders of their respective parties to set up a fund specially to help the families of ISA detainees. — Bernama
