Over 2,000 join #freemarket Putrajaya to give or take for free

Participants handing out free groceries and household items at the #freemarket Putrajaya today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, January 17, 2016.From groceries and clothing to dental screening, everything is free at #FreeMarket, and people only need to ask politely if they want something.

#freemarket Putrajaya organiser Azmin Ishak says the purpose of the event is to match the rich and poor in a particular community, whereby those who have extra can help those in need. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, January 17, 2016.As early as 7.30am, people from all walks of life flocked to Dataran Gemilang in Presint 4 Putrajaya, either to set up makeshift stalls or to get items for free.

Organiser Azmin Ishak said about 120 contributors participated in today's #freemarket, which attracted more than 2,000 people to the carnival-like event that was scheduled to start at 9am.

 "It's supposed to start at 9am and end at 11am, but some people have come really early.

"This can be considered as the biggest #freemarket because we have around 120 stalls (contributors)," he said.

Azmin said those who wanted to get free items only had to ask the contributors nicely and thank them for the items.

"Every community has its poor and rich people, our job as organisers is to connect them two, those who have extra can help those who are in need," Azmin said.

Besides common items like books, some contributors also provided free services, such as massage and giant bubble play for kids, while others provided food, drinks and ice cream to visitors.

Food items like rice, sugar, vegetables and instant noodles were among the hit items wanted by people.

NorHafizah, 31, from Putrajaya said she joined #freemarket because it was time for her to give something to the community, without getting anything in return.

"Usually I join car boot sales, but I'm interested to join #freemarket because it is a good event that can instill the giving nature in myself. Also in Islam we believe that the more we give the more Allah will help us in return," said NorHafizah, who is nine months pregnant.

She contributed clothes, and tea and coffee cups that had English rose designs.

Unggas Kuala Lumpur chairperson Vimmi Yasmin Abd Razak says her NGO provided drinks at the #freemarket event in Putrajaya today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, January 17, 2016.Non-governmental group Unggas Kuala Lumpur provided between 500 and 800 cups of drinks to visitors at #freemarket after they completed their weekly routine of giving free food to the homeless people at Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur early this morning.

"Usually at free market, no one gives drinks, there are other people who give food, like nasi lemak and ice cream. So, that is why we decided to provide drinks," chairperson Vimmi Yasmin Abd Razak said.

A group of young dentists also spent their morning giving free dental screening as part of their social obligation to the community.

"This is part of our responsibility to the community, where we can reach out to the public to increase the level of awareness on the importance of taking care of our teeth," said Dr Nur Lindawati Md Isa from Toothie Tales clinic.

"We come from five different clinics, we come together to give simple dental screenings and diagnose something that we can see in their mouths and give appropriate advice on what they need to do next."

For visitor Samsiah, 54, today was her first time at the #freemarket, and she managed to pick up necessary items for her family as well as meet other people.

"This event is a very good programme because we can meet other people and I can say we are all the same here, no racism. I really enjoy coming here.

"The first thing that I looked for today is food because it is part of our daily necessities.

"All these items are important for me," she said pointing to the bags she carried that were filled with various items such as flour, bread, rice, sugar and school uniforms.

She said the items would be distributed to other family members who could not come today.

A mother of four, Liza, 33, from Cheras, said she came to look for items for her children, such as school uniforms as all her children attended school this year.

"I came with my sister to get the necessary items, because I really feel the burden in the rising cost of living, especially after the implementation of GST," she said referring to the goods and services tax introduced in April last year.

"The items I got today can help me save on my expenditure for this month," she added.

Last year, between 60 and 70 #freemarkets were held in Peninsular MalaysiaVolunteer dentists helping to check the dental health of visitors to the #freemarket in Putrajaya today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, January 17, 2016.

- TMI