BUTTERWORTH – Twenty families from Sabah and Sarawak who live on the mainland here have opted to not fly the white flag, despite having lost their jobs due to factory closures.
Their spokesman, who wanted to be known only as Thomas, said most of them find it hard to put food on the table since last year, following financial woes.
The families live around Simpang Ampat, Seberang Prai Tengah and Taman Bagan here.
Thomas said the affected families have sole breadwinners who were daily wage earners or contract workers, before losing their jobs due to the ongoing movement control order.
He has since contacted two non-government organisations in Penang to seek help, and is now awaiting their assistance.
“They decided to not put up the white flag as they still hope that help will come soon. I am sad to see the children hungry, and their parents trying to get them food,” said Thomas.
“I have helped in whatever way within my means, but feeding the 20 families is a bigger task.”
In Kulim, Kedah, social activist and retired teacher K. Puvaneswary had distributed food packs to five families in Lunas and Padang Serai for the past two days.
“A Chinese couple in their 80s put up a white flag seeking help, and I distributed food items to them,” she told The Vibes.
“Their son, who called from Kuala Lumpur, also sought my help to send his parents to Kulim Hospital for a medical check-up.
“My husband and I distributed more than 2,000 food packages to the poor and needy here, and in Mahang and Padang Serai.”
Puvaneswary said she also helped Mercy Malaysia to distribute more than 500 food baskets during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations in May.
People who are aware of her social activities will contact her to inform her of those in need of similar aid, she added. – The Vibes, July 5, 2021
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