Seputeh MP Teresa Kok is considering taking legal action against the BN Backbenchers Club’s (BNBBC) website and other websites over articles regarding welfare programmes by the Selangor government.
BNBBC had published an article on March 9 titled “Teresa akhirnya mengaku terima dana Yawas (Teresa finally admits to receiving Yawas funds)” quoting Kok stating that possessed an ATM card that was used to disburse money under the programme.
She said this after the author asked her to respond to Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos’ allegation that she had misappropriated the funds and that the bank account used was under her name.
“I am disappointed with the way BNBBC and other portals willfully published this half-truth and manipulated this issue. It is clear they are trying to smear me in an issue where I am completely innocent,” said the DAP vice-chairperson in a statement.
“All records of aid disbursed to the kin of the Selangor-born deceased are kept by the district office.
“I have never misappropriated anything in the distribution of the welfare aid. The Petaling district office has all the records of recipients of the aid,” she said.
Kok said the ATM card registered in her name was used to instantly withdraw funds meant for the programme, was a procedure set by the Selangor government even before Azmin Ali took over as menteri besar in 2014.
Instant funds for funeral expenses
She said all PAS, PKR and DAP elected representatives in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were given an ATM card in their name by the state government.
She said according to state procedure, kin of the deceased can apply for urgent cash aid of RM1,000 from an elected representative, before applying for an additional RM1,500 from the district office within two months of the death, under the Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor (Yawas) programme.
The ATM cards were distributed to Kuala Lumpur elected representatives as well after the state found that many of those born in Selangor reside in the capital city, she said.
“The aid distribution system has been in place since Pakatan Rakyat took over Selangor (in 2008).
“I don’t understand why Selangor resident Jamal is only realising now that this welfare programmes under Yawas exist.
“This false accusation and slander against me and my opposition party colleagues shows he is bankrupt of ideas and have run out of political issues to raise against us,” she said.
Jamal earlier exposed that Yawas is run by someone declared insolvent, prompting Selangor MB Azmin to say that an investigation on this has been underway even before Jamal’s expose.
Prior to this, Jamal brought several hearses, complete with empty coffins, to the state assembly gates to protest against mismanagement in YAWAS.