SUNDRY-SHOP owners at the Sri Pantai public housing project in Kuala Lumpur are facing difficulties restocking goods after earlier panic-buying sprees and a hike in prices of items like onions and chicken amid the movement-control order (MCO).

They also complained that there is a shortage of customers because residents are afraid to venture out to get their supplies.

“As you can see, my store is quite empty. Even if I restock, I can only restock a bit depending on availability of supply. Goods like onions have gone up in price, they are now selling it at RM9 per kilo.

“I only have one packet of rice left because people were buying out of panic the other day,” said Adi Idris, a sundry storeowner in the area.

“My store isn’t as crowded as usual because people are afraid to come down and get supplies,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Some residents are also forced to travel outside to buy necessities no longer available in their neighbourhood.

Shahira Jahari, a resident here, said she’s afraid of travelling outside but has no choice as some things aren’t available at sundry shops in the area.

“I’m scared of getting infected by Covid-19, so I maintain social distance and I bring along a metal chopstick to press lift buttons every time I’m out,” said the 24- year-old.

“The nearest I can go is either to the Aeon supermarket nearby or to the Gateway Mall.”

Financially, she and her sister depend on their sick mother’s baitulmal, an Islamic fund set up for the needy.

“I run a YouTube food channel but that doesn’t make much. My side projects have all been suspended for the time being, which is stressing me out.

“So for the next two weeks, my sister and I can only depend on my mother’s baitulmal,” she said.

The government imposed the MCO, which is effective until March 31, to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Under the order, people are prohibited from being outdoors, with many non-essential services and offices ordered shut.

Most of the PPR residents are from the B40 group and the order has caused an economic impact on them as they are unable to go out to work or be involved in their small businesses.

On Thursday, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said low-income earners living in PPRs should be exempted from paying rent in view of the MCO.

This came after Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa said on Wednesday that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will exempt businesses operating on its premises from paying rent.

Matter of survival

Despite the MCO, some stall owners at the Sri Pantai PPR continue to operate as usual albeit with slow sales.

Emma Abas, a nasi lemak seller and resident of Sri Pantai, told The Malaysian Insight that she will remain open as usual because it’s her only source of income.

“This is my daily income.  Whether I like it or not, I have to proceed with it. However, the movement-restriction order has almost halved my income.”

With business so bad, Emma can only afford to buy necessities in stages as she and her family try their best to save up and cut costs in the next two weeks.

When asked whether she’s afraid of being infected, Emma said she maintains good hygiene by showering and changing her clothes as soon as she gets home.

Saminah Ramli, a stall owner, also complained about sales dropping ever since the MCO came into effect.

“I used to make RM50 to RM100 per day but this morning I only made RM30.

“Right now, since my daughter works with me and we’re not making much, her eldest son is helping us out financially,” said the 55-year-old.

Despite the circumstances and their financial issues, The Malaysian Insight observed that many Sri Pantai PPR residents are doing their bit by staying indoors and only leaving their homes when necessary.

The playgrounds were clear of children and residents rushed from sundry stores back to their homes.

Malaysia yesterday reported 130 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 1,030 and becoming the third most badly hit country in Asia. There are three deaths. – March 21, 2020.