GEORGE TOWN: Former deputy home minister Ismail Mohamed Said's action in disposing of rice and other food items at a site in Temerloh, Pahang, which went viral, is unbelievable and unacceptable.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) education officer N.V. Subbarow, in taking a swipe at the former lawmaker, criticised Ismail.
He said the reason given by Ismail was also absurd.
"He cannot plead oversight. Surely he has more than enough officers to help him (to distribute the food items to those in need).
"We urge the relevant ministries to take stern action against Ismail for his action in throwing and burning the edible food items.
"This is especially so when the people are struggling to get rice supplies," he told the New Straits Times.
Subbarow said the food items could have been distributed to the people.
"If he (Ismail) could not do so, it shows that he is not serious about the food issue the country is facing.
"Don't come up with all sorts of excuses like rats and such.
"One must be blind or ignorant to not know how many packets of food items there are," he added, noting that no one would throw away uncooked rice.
Earlier today, Ismail admitted to disposing of the rice and other food items in Temerloh.
Ismail said the items were from a stockpile he had prepared for his constituents when he was the Kuala Krau member of parliament, but that they were no longer fit for consumption.
He said the food items were bought using personal funds.
