Gov’t Condemned For Measly Supplementary Food Meal For B40 Students

Recently, an incident occurred in Sabah where a schoolgirl had fallen after the rotting wooden bridge she took to school collapsed under her. This raised a critical question, how much neglect are the students from the B40 community enduring? 

Another not-so-new issue faced by these students is now under fire. 

Astro Awani Senior News Editor, Izwar Wahid, took to his Twitter page to share the food received by B40 students under the government’s Rancangan Makanan Tambahan (RMT) program. The food consisted of a handful of plainly fried yellow mee and a tiny piece of vegetable. 

He wrote, “The RMT menu of one of the primary schools in Pahang on July 6, 2022. To be specific, (the school is) near the railway that is so ‘brittle’ (those who know this will understand, those who do not can pretend as you do understand). Maybe because of the price hikes?” 

Based on an explanation on the government’s website, the food served by the program is meant to improve the health, physical condition and nutritional practices of primary school students from rural and low-income groups. 

The budget of the food program is as follows: 

Students in the Peninsula – RM2.50 per student x 190 days
Students in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan – RM3.00 per student x 190 days

“To be fair, GB and PPD (Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah) already warned the canteen owner but nothing has changed. Don’t know why,” he added.

Izwar also tagged the Ministry of Education, along with their Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, in his post.

Malaysians have since condemned the meal given, frustrated at the lack of effort put into making it based on the program’s principles. 

Others pointed out that perhaps there are more dishes that have yet to be added to the meal. 

“This looks like an incomplete meal. There actually is more like they want to add a fried egg, some watermelon and a boxed drink, right? Right?”

What do you think about the RMT meal showcased? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Also read: Schoolgirl In Sabah Falls As Rotting Wooden Bridge Collapses Under Her