What’s in store for Makcik Kiah now, Mr Prime Minister?

 

The worst of our fears became a reality yesterday when the government announced the dreaded movement control order (MCO) for two weeks from tomorrow. This brought back memories of the seven weeks that Malaysians were forced to spend at home from March 18 last year.

As a nation, Malaysians experienced some contrasting circumstances then, depending on which rung of the social ladder they were in. The T20 group, or the 20% of Malaysian workers who earn RM10,000 and above were hardly affected.

The 1.2 million civil servants had it good, too. They received their salaries and allowances in full while staying at home, with some asked to work from there. In addition, they were given the special Prihatin cash handouts if they qualified.

And not having to spend for transport, food and tolls, it was a sort of bonus for them.

The rest of the 15 million workers comprised the M40 group who earned between RM4,000 and RM8,000 monthly, and the worst hit category classified as B40 who had incomes of less than RM4,000 a month.

These were made up of workers mainly in the private sector and the self-employed, with many of them losing their source of income virtually overnight.

Besides these groups, there were hundreds of thousands of foreign workers, both legal and
undocumented, many of whom went into hiding for fear of being arrested. They had to depend on NGOs and individual volunteers who raised funds from generous Malaysians to help them with some basic necessities.

Now, we are back to where we were in the beginning of the year. But this time, no handouts were announced before or simultaneously when the nation was told that five states, namely Selangor, Johor, Sabah, Penang and Melaka, and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya would come under MCO from tomorrow.

Again, the T20 and government servants, with others in the essential services, won’t have much to worry as their regular source of income or their huge savings can tide them not only for two weeks but more.

But what’s in store for Makcik Kiah, the famous fictitious B40 Malaysian that Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin used as an example to illustrate the kind of cash aid an average person stood to receive from the government?

It was under the first Covid-19 stimulus package called Prihatin Rakyat. Makcik Kiah, who supposedly sells banana fritters (pisang goreng) and lives at the scheme for the hardcore poor, represents all of us Malaysians who lose their source of livelihood overnight.

Makcik Kiah now joins the million-odd Malaysians out of job or business for the next two weeks, or maybe more. And they are not those who were earning fat salaries that allowed them to have some extra for a rainy day. Most of them live from hand to mouth, and the next two weeks will be a nightmare for them.

The economy is so badly hit and Malaysians are experiencing some donor fatigue although I am confident they will rise to the occasion. But NGOs have said that financial donations are slow to come these days. And those used to crowdfund efforts are also finding it hard in this economic climate.

According to a news report, Charity Right Malaysia attested to this slowdown, saying they raised RM600,000 from March until July to help the needy locals and refugees. But in October, they are struggling to reach even RM100,000. But it says requests for food aid has not abated in the meantime.

NGOs and volunteers cannot really push donors as many of them have lost their jobs or are facing salary cuts. With the uncertain times and vaccines expected to roll out only from March, many have to prepare themselves with savings.

While battling these challenges, Malaysians are unfortunately forced to endure endless threats of some politicians who, in their pursuit of power and apparently trying to find a way out of their court battles, are unnecessarily causing political uncertainty.

The struggling Malaysians like the rubber tappers, cleaners, hawkers and workers in the travel and hotel industries are among those who have lots to worry about.

Malaysians need a strong dose of assurance and another round of cash aid for the next two weeks or even more. My regular nasi lemak stall owner told me she has to close shop from Wednesday. Just like Makcik Kiah.

Yesterday evening, my mind went back to health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s call during the first MCO. He said: “For us to succeed, make sure we take care of each other, our society and our nation.”

Banking on the politicians is not a guarantee. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.