SANDAKAN – It is only day one of the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) at the Taman Harmoni flats at Mile 3 here, and residents are already feeling imprisoned.
Though they were subjected to the same lockdown at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, this time, “unreasonable” rules are being implemented, they said.
When the flats were under the EMCO enforced on April 4, residents were allowed to receive essential goods from outsiders at the front gate. Also, a mobile clinic and a temporary mini market were set up inside the compound.
This time around, however, residents are not allowed to leave their units, and outsiders are barred from giving them infant formula, diapers, food items and other much-requested essentials.
“There is no mini market inside for us this time, and they do not allow people to drop off things for us at the gate. How are we going to get fresh ingredients to cook?” said resident Nurul Jannah Abd Hamid.
“What if we need urgent items like diapers for our children? Or cash to purchase mobile phone top-up from home sellers?”
The mother of six said her family have lost their source of income due to the movement curbs.
“Ever since my husband fell sick, we have been earning money from selling home-made cookies online. With the EMCO, we can’t deliver our products to customers. Our only source of income has stopped.
“Residents here are from the low-income group. So, I think I speak for the rest of the residents, too. We hope that the Sandakan Municipal Council considers waiving our rental.”
The cost is RM170 per unit, she said, not including the water bill.
Hasnawati Murdin, also a home baker, said her husband, who is a daily-wage contract worker, is unable to earn a living as he cannot leave their unit.
She said her cookie business, too, has been put on hold.
Just like Nurul Jannah, the 32-year-old Hasnawati, who has two children, hopes that rental will be waived like how it was during the previous EMCO, when residents did not have to make payments from April until last month.
Rohana Asmael, 33, said the delivery of cooking gas cylinders to units should be allowed.
“We can’t carry the gas cylinder from the gate all the way to our unit. Some people live on the fourth floor. How are they going to carry it up without the help of a worker?”
The single mother of two, who lost her source of income as a satay seller, expressed hope that the government will come to her and other residents’ aid by waiving their water and electricity bills for at least three months.
Today, the Sandakan Welfare Department distributed 870 food baskets at the flats, which have 4,481 residents.
Assistant director Rohainah Abas said the department is unaware that outsiders are barred from passing items to residents at the gate.
“As part of the Sandakan Disaster Management Committee, we will discuss this matter to ensure the welfare of residents is well taken care of.
“However, we do not see this as urgent as the residents were given ample time to get essential items before the EMCO was declared.”
The order was announced by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his daily update on Wednesday.
Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong Ket Kiun said the food aid is insufficient as it can last a family only a week at most.
“They are not allowed to go out. So, I urge the state government to channel more assistance to residents, to ensure they do not run out of food in the 14-day EMCO period.”
District police chief Mohd Azhar Hamin said residents are not allowed to leave their units except for medical emergencies.
“Therefore, they cannot leave their unit to take any items, including cash, at the gate.” – The Vibes, October 23, 2020
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