‘We can’t even throw rubbish out’ - Sri Murni residents complain

CORONAVIRUS | Residents at one of the apartment blocks placed under an enhanced movement control order (MCO) near the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market rued the lack of both food and information since the lockdown began three days ago.

Sri Murni Phase 2 resident Ramesh Kumar told KiniTV that only some of the residents have received food parcels containing oil, rice, and sugar.

Other residents, about 75 percent, are still waiting for it, he said.

“Yesterday they distributed food to residents in Fasa 3, but it did not come to Fasa 1 and Fasa 2. I don’t know why.

“We waited until after 9am but there was no news, but the photos (of the food) came in," he said in a video recording today.

Ramesh (photo below) said since the enhanced MCO was put in place on Monday, the entrance to his apartment block has been sealed with barbed wire, and residents are told to remain at home and not to come down.

“They are strictly telling us to go back into our houses. No coming down. There is barbed wire at the entrance, so you can’t even jump over it,” he said.

“We can't even go out to throw rubbish. Things are getting worse,” he said.

He added that some residents have resorted to casting bags of garbage over the barbed wire into a bin. A video of the act has been circulated.

Another Sri Murni Phase 2 resident, who only identified himself as Tim, said he felt helpless due to lack of information.

“Because of the lack of information, we are so helpless and clueless. Today is the third day, and up to now, we have not got any information about provisions.

“I did hear moments ago before I did this recording that there will be makanan kering (dried food) to be collected later. That will only be known when it happens because I’m not sure,” he said.

Tim lamented that when his relatives tried to send groceries, they were barred from entering the area.

Later today, he said he received 5kg of rice, 2kg of oil, and 1kg of flour at 8.30pm.

Residential areas near the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market have been placed under the enhanced MCO at the stroke of midnight on April 20, after 28 Covid-19 cases, including one death, were reported.

Additional screening has detected two more cases so far.

The cordon sanitaire until May 3 largely affected migrant workers and refugees who work at the market, which would reopen on Friday.

Since the lockdown began, the Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers' Association said people living in the affected areas were promised four meals a day but have not received any.

Batu MP P Prabakaran had said he received calls from residents in Taman Sri Murni complaining about the lack of food and necessities. He was scheduled to meet with the Social Welfare Department this afternoon.

Nevertheless, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Nor Hisham Dahlan assured that food deliveries will be made to the affected residents. - Mkini