By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
IPOH: The police and the National Registration Department (JPN) are being urged to investigate and take immediate action regarding the misuse of government cash aid under the Program Bantuan Asas Rahmah (SARA).
Chairman of the Perak Barisan Nasional Public Services and Complaints Centre, Mohd Rawi Abdullah, said that his office has so far received three public complaints reporting that the government aid money has ‘disappeared’.
Mohd Rawi revealed that his own identity was misused after he lost his identification card, and checks with the authorities found that someone is believed to have impersonated him to claim the aid money.
“All three complainants came and showed that the balance of their SARA cash aid had decreased.
“Coincidentally, I went to a nearby supermarket and checked my cash aid balance — it was only RM2.70 left.
“I lost my identification card two weeks ago, and had already lodged a police report and applied for a new IC, but now it’s proven that it can be misused,” he said.
He subsequently filed a police report regarding the SARA aid case at the Sungai Senam Police Station on October 7.
“A police report was made because we’re concerned that more people may fall victim.
“Imagine if the individual misuses it for other crimes involving Telco communications systems, the BUDI Madani Ron95 fuel subsidy, and so on,” he added.
He emphasized that this is not an isolated incident, but reflects weaknesses in data security.
“We urge the police to investigate and the National Registration Department (JPN) to take immediate action in this case,” he said.
