KOTA BELUD – While most families would just drive to their nearest supermarket for food and other essentials before going under Covid-19 lockdown, residents of Kg Rampayan Laut on Pulau Mantanani had to brave rough seas for an hour to get groceries here.
Mainah Maulana, 46, said urban dwellers may be unable to relate.
“We were told that our village would be under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) starting June 1,” she told The Vibes.
“We were reluctant to go out to sea in this weather, but my family had no choice but to plan a trip to Kota Belud town to get supplies.”
The mother of five said there are mini grocery stores on the island, but they did not have the items needed by her family in stock.
Recently, eight people from seven households lost all their supplies when their boat capsized in bad weather en route from the mainland.
Mainah said one of the victims is her next-door neighbour, a retrenched resort employee.
The village has some 200 residents, she said, with most being resort workers, while a few are fishermen.
“Almost all of the resort staff have been laid off since last year. Most of us have lost our source of income, including my husband.
“I operate a homestay at my house, but we have not had a customer for a year.
“Now, we are living off our savings, and we have been very thrifty.”
Security personnel are guarding the exit to Kota Belud town during the lockdown, she said.
“We are already ‘stuck’ here with little money and few resources. I hope the authorities will be considerate and at least let us travel to the mainland to get supplies in this EMCO period.” – The Vibes, June 7, 2021
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