FAMILIES living at the Bukit Kiara longhouse in the affluent Taman Tun Dr Ismail area are hoping that the government will look into their plight if the movement-control order (MCO) is extended.

They fear they do not have enough savings to continue providing for their families as they are from the lower income group.

Bukit Kiara Rumah Panjang Residents’ Association secretary Sivakumar Muniandy said about 90% of people living there have been prohibited from working due to the MCO.

“Some of them are cleaners, petty traders, despatch riders and workshop assistants.

“If it (MCO) prolongs, then some might get half their pay or those who work on a daily basis will get none,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Sivakumar hopes that the wellbeing of the families will be looked into after Taman Tun Dr Ismail Residents’ Association (TTDI RA) lended them a helping hand.

The TTDI residents were on Monday provided with RM50 shopping vouchers for the longhouse families, which number about 100.

Sivakumar thanked the TTDI residents for their gesture.

“The families are very happy to see their neighbours who are willing to help out during the pandemic.”

TTDI RA chairman Abdul Hafiz Abu Bakar said it was only right that they help their affected neighbours at the longhouse.

“Knowing that the longhouse residents are our immediate neighbours, we offered assistance.

“Some are daily wage earners and run small businesses which are economically impacted by the MCO.

“So, that’s why we decided to get the residents to donate and handed over the vouchers.

“We didn’t give cash but worked with Hero supermarket to get vouchers for them.”

As of yesterday, Covid-19 has killed 16 people and infected 1,624 in Malaysia.

Prime Minister Muhiyiddin Yassin had issued a nationwide MCO from March 18 to 31. It is, however, expected to be extended. – March 25, 2020.