RESIDENTS of Taman Manggis flats were beaming with gratitude when they received some provisions from the state government as the movement control order (MCO) enters its 28th day at their premises today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was there to help distribute the provisions that were sponsored by the Social Welfare Department, Aspen Group and Hooi Lam Lian Heong Hoay Association (HLLHHA).
“The provisions are given to all the 309 units in the Taman Manggis flats. Priority is given to these PPR residents as they belong to the B40 group and are most affected during this MCO to tackle the Covid-19,” said Chow, who is also the Padang Kota assemblyman and Tanjong MP.
“The provisions, including rice, cooking oil and dry foodstuff, are worth RM100 each. Some families who have babies are also given vouchers worth RM50 for them to buy milk powder.
“I believe the provisions will help ease their burden.”
Among the recipients were three visually impaired friends, Sarina Ahmad, Haslinda Che Din and Nurul Syuhada Masroom.
“We work as masseuses but now with the MCO, we are out of business. No one wants to risk to have massage now. So, the provisions given by the state government are definitely a big help to us,” said Haslinda.
Another recipient Mohd Rabbiyan Mohd Bayazid, who has been staying at Taman Manggis for over a year, is also thankful to receive the provisions.
“I sell burger for a living but now I am not working because of the MCO. I want to thank the chief minister and state government for giving us the aid.
“There are quite a number of people here living from hand to mouth. There are the disabled, the blind and the jobless. So, the provision is just timely for us.
“But I am fortunate because I have four children and they do give me some money occasionally.”
Another happy recipient was Lee Chye Chooi, 73. The rice bag alone weighing 10kg was too heavy for her but she was so glad that two Rela personnel, Anita Mui and Darrick Pek, helped carry it and other items for her to her unit.
Besides the Taman Manggis residents, the state is currently giving a total of 20,000 boxes of supplies to the needy in all the five districts in the state.
Before the distribution of the provisions at Taman Manggis today, Chow presented a certificate of appreciation to Aspen Group, which was represented by its managing director A. Anilarasu, and HLLHHA, which was represented by its president Ong Eng Choon.
Anilarasu said Aspen Group was delighted to chip in RM15,000 to purchase the basic necessities from a supermarket to help the residents.
“During this MCO period, Aspen also understands the difficulties faced by many construction workers. We also gave away some provisions recently to about 1,000 workers who were hired by our contractors,” Anilarasu said.
Ong said his association contributed RM3,500 in the form of vouchers to help the Taman Manggis families buy milk powder for their babies.
Dr Tan Kim Hooi, who is Chow’s Tanjong political secretary, said the distribution of provisions today was the second time for Taman Manggis residents since the MCO started on March 18.
He said the CM office contributed RM10,000 the first time to help buy some provisions which were distributed door to door by surau personnel.
He added that the third distribution of provisions for Taman Manggis would be arranged by the state government next week.
Also present were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, who is Chow’s state political secretary, and former assemblyman Lau Keng Ee.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan
Video by Law Suun Ting