There is still food in Bah Bakril Bah Jali's kitchen but it won't last long. There are only two kilograms left to be shared amongst himself and seven other family members.
Since they began wearing red bracelets given to them by Health Ministry officers on Jan 25, Bah Bakril is confused over why they have to undergo quarantine when their village is not under the enhanced movement control order (MCO).
He understands that his house in Kampung Simpang Puris Dalam in Tapah, Perak is not included in the Kampung Orang Asli Jalan Batu 6 area which has been under enhanced MCO since Jan 21.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Bah Bakril, 31, said on Jan 25, his area was visited by several Health Ministry officers who asked for identity card numbers, telephone numbers, and told them to wear red bracelets despite not doing any swab tests.
The officers then left with no other instructions.
"We can't go out to buy food and there is no (food) aid either," he said, worried about his family's dwindling food supply.
He also was unsure why they were quarantined, saying, "Our house is far from the village where it (Covid-19 outbreak) happened."
Bah Bakril said there are no shops in his immediate vicinity where he could get supplies, adding that they could not go anywhere further due to them wearing the red bracelets.
"The Health Ministry left us just like that. We don't even know where we can go (to get food).
"I can't go to the store, with the red bracelet, I will be chased away... We are afraid to go out," he said.
"Our rice supply is down to only two cups left," he said.
Climbing a tree to tell his story
Not only do they have to contend with that hardship, but Bah Bakril and his family also struggle with being disconnected from the outside world.
To speak to Malaysiakini, Bah Bakril said he had to climb a tree to get a stable phone signal.
He shared that there are three houses around where he lives which are inhabited by six adults, including himself, and two children. All eight of them are related.
Where he lives is located deep in the interior with no other neighbours around. It takes an hour for him to travel to the nearest village by motorcycle.
"We have no supply (food) at all. Why are we wearing red bracelets when we are not in the enhanced MCO area?” he asked.
In the hours following the publication of this story on Malaysiakini's BM site yesterday afternoon, Perak police chief Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said his department supplied food to the family as soon as they found out what happened.
The Health Ministry and Social Welfare Department have also been informed of the family's plight, Mior told Malaysiakini.
Regarding the allegations, Mior said there was a "communication error" that the police forbade them to leave because of the red bracelet they were wearing.
Malaysiakini has contacted the Health Ministry for a response and it is understood that the Perak Health Department is conducting an investigation.
They are expected to issue a statement in the near future. - Mkini
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