Low income, vulnerable communities facing 'rent crisis'

CORONAVIRUS | Low income and vulnerable communities in the country are facing a big "rent crisis" as their ability to earn a living has become affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Geutanyoë Foundation's international director, Lilianne Fan, said among those affected are the B40 group and refugees.

"A group of Rohingya called me last night to tell me they were living in the streets because they were evicted two days ago by their landlord.

"These are problems facing locals as well, locals are facing the threat of eviction too," Fan said in a webinar by research institute, Refsa, this afternoon.

She said when people are being told to stay at home during a pandemic, people should not have to fear being kicked out of whatever shelter they might have.

At present, those staying in public housing such as PPR flats have been granted rent exemptions for six months.

However, there are no exemptions in place for those renting residences from private landlords.

Landlords with housing loans, however, can get a six-month moratorium on loan payments.

Besides facing difficulties paying rent, Fan said many vulnerable groups are still going hungry and not receiving aid despite the best efforts of the government, NGOs, and the public

"There are many people, despite everyone's best efforts, who haven't received even a basic food basket. It's nobody's fault, everyone is working hard." 

Fan said the crisis has brought to the surface many issues regarding Malaysia's vulnerable, be they the B40, refugees, and stateless people.

"The level of vulnerability in this country is extremely high, there are many people just on the threshold. When a crisis like this hits, they can't sustain themselves.

"They don't have savings, they don't have a safety net to fall back on," she said.

Meanwhile, Fan said another issue that has cropped up during the pandemic is xenophobia.

She said many have taken a negative perception towards migrants, such as asking the government to reject Rohingya refugees coming into the country.

She said while it is not fair to ask the government or any country to take in refugees without question, the issue must be dealt with humanely.

Amid the enhanced movement control order (MCO) in Selayang being of major concern, Fan said there has not been a high rate of infection among the migrant community so far.

The enhanced MCO in areas surrounding the Selayang market follows many infections detected there. As of today, there are 28 cases in the area, of which 20 are migrants.

However, data on April 16 showed that out of 5,251 total cases nationwide, only 601 were foreigners or migrants, with 356 in treatment.

Fan said the government must step up to discourage the public from using xenophobic language or rhetoric as it not something that should be tolerated.

However, she said the crisis has also become an opportunity to break down barriers.

The humanitarian organisation's director said she works with many refugees or migrants who are volunteers and professionals.

"The entire team, including some Rohingya youths who have joined us, they are the ones packing the food baskets whether it is for the Orang Asli, Rakhine Buddhist refugees, or the local B40 groups.

"It's the Rohingyas refugees helping us to pack, so it is an opportunity for us to break down barriers.

"We should use this opportunity to build understanding, compassion and solidarity," she said. - Mkini