Got eggs, but no milk powder & vice versa?

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May 9, 2017

2,500 needy households get 300,000 free eggs

I refer to the article “2,500 needy households to get 300,000 free eggs over next 12 months” (Today, May 7).

“No excessive help given to some particular needy persons”?

It states that “Working with the local Social Services Office would ensure that there was no excessive help given to some particular needy persons on the one hand, and no neglect of families on the other hand, ensuring a spread of support to all households that need support, Mr Lee, who is also a Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC, added.”

Confused, please help to explain?

I am somewhat confused. Can anyone help to explain what does “would ensure that there was no excessive help given to some particular needy persons on the one hand, and no neglect of families on the other hand, ensuring a spread of support to all households that need support” mean?

According to the ComCare annual report for FY2015 – there were 39,548 unique households (86,759 unique beneficiaries) that received financial assistance.

Who to give the eggs to?

So, how do we decide which of the 39,548 households to give the eggs for only 2,500 needy households to?

Is it not indicative, arguably, of how inadequate our assistance programmes under ComCare are? 

Got eggs, but no milk powder?

With each Community Developmemt Council (CDC) or town council having their own piecemeal assistance programmes – we may have a situation whereby getting milk powder or eggs, etc, may depend on where you live.

Is this ideal from the perspective of the needy, in a national welfare system?

Competing for limited charity dollars?

Also, the MPs who are asking for funds from corporations, may be competing with the Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) and charities for limited charity dollars.

Leong Sze Hian

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.