MORE than 120 civil society organisations have urged Putrajaya to reconsider its decision to bar them from delivering food to the needy while the movement control order (MCO) is in effect.

The groups said in a joint statement that while they understand the gravity of the Covid-19 situation, there are communities who are without access to food and other basic necessities at such a time.

“These communities include the B40, urban and rural poor, Malaysians who have lost their income as a result of the MCO, the elderly, the housebound, the sick, orphans, Orang Asli, migrant workers, refugee communities, and many, many more,” the statement read.

“It is hard to imagine that the government has a complete list of all the vulnerable communities that need assistance, and will be able to take over serving all these communities immediately.

“The very suggestion of such over-centralisation suggests poor planning and a poor understanding of the plight of the poor.”

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob  said yesterday prohibited individual groups from giving food directly to the needy in a move to limit human contact during the period of the MCO imposed to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

He said these groups would have to send the food to the nearest Welfare Department office for distribution.

Ismail said the food will be distributed by Rela officers or Malaysia Civil Defence Force personnel.

The MCO is in force from March 18 to April 14.

As of yesterday, the number of Covid-19 cases stands at 2,320, with 27 deaths. – March 29, 2020.