Of course the selected poor (20 from each of the 24 zones = 480 poor residents) will enjoy a nice hotel dinner, I don't think that issue is being questioned. But the issue is, is this the right way to spend RM 60-70,000 on something that is titled "Pembasmian Kemiskinan". This year, RM200,000 has been allocated by MPSJ to run various courses/programmes for skill training. However, due to budget limitation, the program could only be run on 13 out of 24 zones. Money saved from this dinner, could fund 4-5 more programs.

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Of hotel dinners and the poor

SUBANG JAYA: Debate on whether it was wise for Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) to spend RM50,000 annually on hotel dinners for the poor turned into a heated argument on Wednesday.

“We should allocate more for programmes which will benefit them [the poor] in the long run, like workshops or sewing classes, instead of treating them to dinners at hotels,” said councillor R Rajiv (pic), who raised the issue at MPSJ’s full board meeting.

He suggested that funds for dinners be added to the RM300,000 allocated annually by MPSJ for the Urban Poverty Eradication Programme.

Rajiv pointed out that educational programmes would be a more effective way to eradicate poverty rather then spending RM50,000 on one-off annual dinners.

However, fellow councillor Keshminder Singh argued that the poor looked forward to these dinners.

“How often does the poor get to dine at hotels? It makes them happy as they are treated to hotel food,” he said.

Keshminder added that these dinners should be the highlight of programmes for the poor because they are attended by many residents, the Menteri Besar and state executive councillors.

“Even the state supports these dinners, so I think it is a good initiative which should be continued,” he said.

Councillor Tan Jo Hann suggested that MPSJ should have a fixed policy which determines and monitors programmes and cash flow for projects.

“To make things easier and ensure the allocations are properly spent on beneficial programmes, the council should look into having a financial policy to refer to,”saidTan.

He added that this is more transparent and everyone will get to see how the allocations are being spent throughout the year.

“We already have such policies which are handled by the financial committee. So I believe the funds are fairly allocated and monitored,” said MPSJ president Datuk Asmawi Kasbi.

The funds for the Urban Poverty Eradication Programme are divided into two parts, RM200,000 for 24zones in MPSJ and the other RM100,000 for cash handouts and material contributions.

Each zone is allowed to carry out its own poverty eradication programme for the poor with the limited funds given.

“The funds for dinner are actually a separate contribution by the council and not taken out of the RM300,000 fund,” said Asmawi.