‘Using elderly as political mileage disrespects them’: MBKS mayor hits back at critics

Dato Wee Hong Seng (file photo)

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Sept 20: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has hit back at critics who accused the council of not respecting senior citizens after more than 1,500 shopping vouchers were distributed to them ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The RM30 vouchers, worth a total of RM45,000, were distributed yesterday to help senior citizens buy groceries for the festival while encouraging them to visit traditional markets and support local traders.

Wee said the initiative was introduced because MBKS could not visit every senior citizen household individually ahead of the festival.

“Though RM30 isn’t a huge sum, it allows them to buy food and groceries to celebrate the festival,” he said in his speech at the fourth Cheongsam Festival at MBKS Community Hall here today.

He said the council also wanted the vouchers to encourage senior citizens to step outside their homes and use them at traditional markets on Sept 23 to buy vegetables, chicken, pork and other groceries.

Wee said the large turnout during yesterday’s distribution had caused some confusion in the morning, but MBKS quickly reorganised the arrangements.

However, he said the situation was subsequently used by a group of people to criticise the council and claim that the mayor did not respect senior citizens.

“Some people have made comments saying that we do not respect the elderly. But to me, those who use the elderly as political mileage are the ones who do not respect them.

“We ask them, what have you done for the elderly? What have you done? If you have done nothing, please, you know, stay away,” he told reporters when met after the event.

He also urged people to use technology responsibly and not use it to attack others or pursue political mileage.

“Use technology, use IT in a very proper way. Don’t use it to attack anybody and all that, and getting all your political mileage,” he said.

Wee said MBKS would continue developing initiatives for senior citizens as Sarawak prepared for an ageing population.

“We are building this community not because of anything. We have to face the fact that we are getting into an ageing city,” he said.

He had earlier said more than 1,500 senior citizens had received the vouchers, with some arriving at Kenyalang Market as early as 5am despite being told to come at 7.30am. — DayakDaily