Three Opposition MPs are offering elderly constituents a free delivery service for groceries during the March 18 to 31 movement control order period.
Setiawangsa lawmaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced the initiative on his official Facebook page yesterday.
Especially for those aged 60 years and above, the service requires users to send their personal details and grocery lists to his office WhatsApp number.
Once approved, payment for the goods can be made either online or in person, to the appointed representatives.
No delivery fee is imposed, and the service aims to deliver the groceries between 10am and 5pm and within 24 hours of the lists sent.
Contacted by Malaysiakini, Nik Nazmi said his office has been flooded with inquiries since the initiative was launched.
“This is to reach out to the elderly, who are the most vulnerable to Covid-19.
“Some do not have family members to help out, so this is our small contribution at the local level,” he said.
Fifteen people comprising his staff and PKR Setiawangsa members are paid a small allowance to run the service.
Balik Pulau MP Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik announced that he is running a similar service for elderly constituents.
The worsening Covid-19 outbreak and the movement control order have caused many to “panic buy” essential food items, leading to long lines and empty shelves at supermarkets nationwide. This is despite the government’s assurance that the food supply was sufficient.
Some grocers have resorted to imposing special shopping hours for seniors to allow the latter a chance to get supplies.
Free delivery for special needs group, B40 as well
Meanwhile, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar is running a free delivery service for the elderly, those with special needs and at-risk communities in her constituency.
Operations are from 6pm to 10pm every day, and the service extends beyond groceries to medicine and basic food supplies.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Nurul Izzah said she hoped the initiative would help at-risk groups like B40 households with children with special needs, old folks who live alone and those receiving government benefits.
“Knowing full well that in a national crisis (and) a pandemic such as this, the elderly, differently-abled and those dependent on welfare are in need of urgent assistance and support, we have to assist.
“We have to work together - both at the federal, as well as state level - to ensure that no one is left behind,” she said when contacted.
The estimated delivery time is under 15 minutes, and Nurul Izzah shared that face masks had been a top item ordered thus far.
Her initiative is being run by 15 volunteers comprising PKR Youth members in her parliamentary constituency.
- Mkini
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