KUALA LUMPUR – Hundreds of bags of rice, flour, and sugar as well as canned sardines were dumped at a Pahang landfill due to contamination concerns after rat carcasses were found in the storage area, claimed Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said.
The former Kuala Krau MP said the bags of rice were marred by rice weevils and deemed unsafe for consumption.
Photos of the food items at the Jalan Pintasan Rumpun Makmur-Gunung Senyum landfill in Temerloh went viral, with the public questioning the wastage.
Ismail said the food items were bought using his personal funds before the general election in November 2022.
“At that time, it was the election campaign period and no gifting of goods was allowed.
“The purchase of the items did not involve government funds nor allocations linked to pandemic relief programmes or flood preparations,” he said in a statement today.
“Some of the rice was given to nearby chicken and duck farmers while the rest were disposed of.”
He added that a neighbour told him on April 5 that a stench emanated from the storage area.
Meanwhile, Pahang Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation director Sharudin Hamid said the landfill operated without its approval.
An investigation is being conducted under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007.
Social media users expressed their frustration and anger over the food items thrown in the landfill. – April 19, 2024