The undocumented also deserve food aid during Covid-19 crisis, says NGO

 

Bajau Laut children play on a bridge at a stilt village in Sabah. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Sabah Human Rights Centre (Sabah HRC) says aid such as food baskets should be given to all who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, including those who do not possess valid documents.

Its president, Sherzali Asli, said the state government has to acknowledge that the undocumented community has already become part of Sabah’s society and deserves to be given aid.

“The spread of Covid-19 has worsened of late and it has definitely affected many, with government aid really needed in this time, including by those without documents.

“Whether they like it or not, the government has to admit that the undocumented are a part of the community in Sabah and this means that they make large contributions to our economy, including doing the jobs shunned by locals,” he told FMT.

Sherzali said the state government could at least distribute food baskets to the undocumented, even if it could not supply them the same help given to local residents.

He said the food baskets would go a long way in sustaining them as most of them lived in poverty.

He also suggested that the state government channel funds to NGOs such as Sabah HRC to enable them to help those in need.

Former prime minister Najib Razak yesterday called on the state government to channel more aid to Sabahans affected by the conditional movement control order (CMCO).

In a Facebook post, he said among those affected are Bajau Laut villagers in Semporna, who were believed not to have received food baskets as they did not possess valid documents.

He also proposed for a Sabah Covid-19 fund to be set up so that Malaysians can donate to NGOs in the state who can then help those affected by the pandemic, including the undocumented. - FMT