The Malaysian Insight

SOME 16,000 residents of the Desa Rejang public housing flats in Setapak Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, currently subject to the enhanced movement control order (EMCO), are facing a shortage of food due to the large number of people staying in 12 blocks.

They told The Malaysian Insight supplies of food do meet demand despite help from the Welfare Department and civil society groups.

Resident Siti Salwah said civil society groups could only supply 100 to 200 food parcels at a time, which is not enough for an area with around 16,000 residents.

“I am grateful for the supply given by the groups but not everyone is able to get it.

“There are 12 blocks here and each block has a leader who will take down names of those who are desperate for supplies.

“He will then pass the goods to them once he receives aid from the civil society groups or the Welfare Department,” the 35-year-old Siti said.

Desa Rejang was quarantined from June 18 to July 1 after recording a significant increase in new Covid-19 cases. As of yesterday, 345 cases have been reported in this cluster, with the positivity rate at 7.52%.

Another resident, Yusof Ibrahim, with a family of five, said currently supplies only last for two to three days.

“We only get sardine cans, rice, flour, salt and sugar,

“We hope to get some fresh food like chicken and fish because I have children who would need protein in their food,” he said.

The 52-year-old added that there are two sundry shops open but even they do not sell fresh food.

“The queue at the shops is also very long due to the huge number of residents here.”

Haris Hafizi, 45 who lives with seven of his family members said he needs basic necessities like nappies and milk for his children.

“Today was the Phase 2 of food aid distribution and I only managed to get sardines, eggs, and rice.

“Although there are two small shops operating, I am afraid to go due to the crowd. Everyone here is depending on these two shops,” he said

Desa Rejang residents’ association chairman Mohd Noor Md Tahir said, despite the Welfare Department assisting by contributing dry provisions, sourcing fresh food remains a challenge.

“There are way too many residents here, which makes it difficult to bring in enough food for everyone,” he said.

“Not everyone gets the same items. Some may get eggs, and some may not.” – June 23, 2021.