Penang NGO installs mobile disinfectant chamber in Balik Pulau

Penang-based NGO, Rural Industry Entrepreneur Organisation, which is part of the newly-launched Makcik Kiah Movement, has installed a Mobile Disinfectant Chamber (MDC) in Balik Pulau to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Its secretary-general John Ooh Sin Hwa said the objective is to help raise awareness on the importance of sanitising against the virus, among those who frequent the market.

"As the chamber is operating on a system with sensors to activate and deactivate, the MDC will also be accessible during the day for food delivery personnel and other frontline personnel who spend long hours outdoors and come into contact with many people," he told Malaysiakini.

However. volunteer Mohd Fitri Ibrahim stressed that using the MDC does not mean the public should ignore the Ministry of Health's advice.

"Please follow the advice to disinfect your clothing upon returning from outside, especially from markets or public areas," he said, adding that the MDC is just an extra precaution.

Mohd Fitri said the MDC initiative is part of the “Makcik Kiah Movement” to help the rural folk in Penang.

"The name Makcik Kiah is so popular that we are hoping to ride on the same wave to bring awareness about Covid-19 to the rural folk.

"We are mostly trying to help the food delivery people who are working hard to send food to homes

"The MDC is made in Penang. We were inspired by similar initiatives in other countries," he added.

Mohd Fitri said those who wish to volunteer with the NGO can visit this site."

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had used the fictional pisang goreng seller Makcik Kiah when unveiling the Covid-19 stimulus package to illustrate how it would benefit rural folk and the lower-income group.

Meanwhile, Ooh said the MDC is the first of its kind in Penang and perhaps in Malaysia.

"Our technicians, suppliers and contractors worked tirelessly over the past few days to ensure the MDC is completed on time because the sooner it is completed, the sooner we can lend a helping hand," he said.

Ooh revealed that the total cost of the project was RM4,000 and the biggest challenge was acquiring raw material due to the movement control order (MCO).

"We hope to place more MDCs in other locations to benefit more people, hence we welcome contributions from the public to make this happen," he added. - Mkini