Gov't to look into food shortage in Pudu - Ismail Sabri

CORONAVIRUS | Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has pledged to look into the complaints of Pudu residents who faced difficulty with food supply due to the reinforced movement control order (MCO) implemented there.

When asked about the people surrounding Pudu who claimed facing difficulty in getting food, the minister appeared to be surprised.

"I cannot believe it. Okay, okay, I don't know if Pudu is placed under lockdown. The vicinity of Pudu was never confined under enhanced MCO.

"I don't know what is the reason (behind the grouses)," he told a daily press conference held in Putrajaya.

"Could it be that the traders are not open for business on the first day of Hari Raya?" he said, adding he would check with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry on the food supply issue.

Ismail said he contacted the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry on the food supply issue as the problem seems to only occur in Pudu and not elsewhere.

"So, I will look into it, and the details will be made known," he added.

The Malaysian Insight (TMI) reported today that residents in Pudu found that their movements have been more restricted than promised due to the reinforced MCO.

The people were told they could still move in and out of the semi-lockdown area with valid reasons.

The report, however, said those residing in the shophouse units in Jalan Pudu and Jalan Landak found themselves fenced in by razor wire and have been prohibited to leave the cordoned area to buy food.

A local resident also complained that he wasn't allowed to go to a nearby bank to withdraw money.

Previously, Ismail Sabri said the residents would be allowed to move around provided they had valid reasons.

A foreign contract worker said he was having a hard time trying to get regular meals.

"We are not lucky to always get food although some people and groups come to deliver. Locals are given priority and foreigners are usually the last to get it," said the 35-year-old Bangladeshi worker.  - Mkini