CIVIL society groups will look at reaching out to the needy on a smaller scale during the movement-control order (MCO) period after being barred by the government from having direct contacts between them to curb the spread of Covid-19.

For now, the groups have stopped “Project Mother”, which was started on March 23, where more than 60 volunteers cooked and delivered almost 10,000 vegetarian meals to needy families over the past week.

The project was undertaken by Pure Life Society, Global Hindu Federation, Tara Foundation, United Malaysian Hindu Voice, Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram and Malaysia Narayani Foundation.

Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram vice-president Vesuanathan Suppiah told The Malaysian Insight that although they have ended their large-scale services yesterday, they will continue reaching out to people on a smaller scale.

He said they still receive calls from people asking for aid, adding that the groups will extend the help to them after vetting their backgrounds.

“We concluded the bigger scale help effectively yesterday, with the latest instructions that groups should go through the Welfare Department.

“So, now we are planning to go on a much smaller scale, very remote and with very limited people on ground.

“We still have people calling us. They really need it. So, we will do the vetting through WhatsApp and we have contact people near to those who require help.

“After doing a quick study on their situation, which takes about a day, then we will make sure we deliver them a very basic provision or groceries for the next 10 days,” he said.

With the restriction in place, Vesuanathan fears that the government will not be able to reach the targeted groups and those who really deserve the aid in this crisis.

“We’ve been going to the ground and know the targeted groups and those who really need it. Many groups have that database. I wonder whether the Welfare Department has it or not.

“If they really can do it, then it is fine but we are afraid of abuse and inefficiency,” he said.

Earlier today, Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa said all civil society groups are not allowed to give out aid to the needy without first consulting the federal territories crisis management centre (CMC).

He said the groups are not allowed to go out on their own to carry out welfare activities.

Annuar said the CMC in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur is the focal point for groups who want to give out aid.

“We also want to ensure the resources we have are fully utilised.

“Some places might get more aid while other places are left out. To ensure the fair distribution of non-medical and medical supplies, they have to consult the CMC,” he added.

Last week senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob barred civil society groups from directly distributing food to the needy during the MCO period.

He said they should send their food to the Welfare Department, from which the frontliners would take over the distribution of the contributions.

Yesterday, Ismail Sabri said the directive is to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infections.

He said although many groups are unhappy about the decision, it was made in the interest of their health and safety.

Civil society groups have objected to the ruling, saying they could do a better and more effective job in distributing the food directly as they have been doing it all along. – March 30, 2020.