NEIGHBOURS in rural and urban communities are coming out to help the needy as Covid-19 rages on and tougher movement controls are enforced.

And while the government’s fiscal stimulus package does address the economic concerns of the affected groups, especially the elderly and those in the B40 category, there are still some who continue to fall through the cracks.

However, in a survey by The Malaysian Insight, ordinary folk are coming out to do what little they can to assist their needy neighbours. Some cook for their neighbours, others buy groceries and there are those who pool their money to buy essentials for those who can’t afford much.

In Kajang, residents in Gapura Bayu apartments have started a mini “gerobok rezeki” (food bank) by collecting extra groceries from families who can afford them and placing them on shelves at their apartment’s surau for those who need it.

Mohd Zulfadhli Mohd Zaki, a member of the Musolla Al-Rayyan surau, who initiated the project, said it is to lessen the burden of those who could not afford to buy certain items during the movement-control order (MCO).

Families could face many issues and problems during the period and as neighbours, they should support with whatever they could, mainly groceries, to ensure they can feed their families, he said.

“We have three blocks of apartments here and we know some can’t afford certain things, as they could have various problems this time, including financial constraints.

“So, we decided to start this food bank, not big but something that could benefit a few families here. It is an initiative set up for neighbours living here regardless of their race or religion,” Zulfadhli told The Malaysian Insight.

In the same apartment, Maher Haffizi, a video producer, said he is offering to run errands for some of his neighbours, whenever he goes grocery shopping.

Maher said he would normally take orders from a couple of families and deliver the items. They would pay online once the groceries are delivered.

“I would ask some of my neighbours if they want anything from the supermarket whenever I go to buy groceries.

“Some don’t have transportation. They would need to take a taxi or Grab. It’s just a small help. They will give a list of items, I get it for them and they will transfer the payment,” he said.

Football mates doing good

In Kuala Lumpur, Vijay Kumar, 35, and his football friends are helping some families living in the people’s housing projects (PPR) with groceries.

He said after the MCO was implemented, they decided to collect money among themselves and help the needy at the low-cost housing area in Pantai Dalam, where he lives.

“One of my friends suggested in our WhatsApp group that we should help the needy. Everyone agreed and contributed to the cause.

“Since I live in a PPR, they gave me the task to manage it, as it would be easier for me to travel, buy things and deliver.

“We bought rice, eggs, sardines and some basic groceries for about 12 families from different backgrounds for now.

“We live in multiracial country, so we help all as much as we can,” he said, adding that they will be doing a second round of collections soon.

Vijay now goes grocery shopping almost daily, as he helps his neighbours to get groceries and necessities from the supermarket.

“I have neighbours who are disabled, neighbours who are old and neighbours who have no transportation except for a motorbike.

“So, I offer to help them to buy groceries.”

Cooking for the poor

In Kelantan, Nurul Jannah Aqilah Kristi, 43, said she has offered to help to cook for the poor in her neighbourhood in Pengkalan Chepa.

Nurul, who is in sales, said most families she helped are fishing folk and those who work for daily wages.

“There is this old lady who used to sell fish but after the MCO was implemented, she lost her earnings.

“And they’re the kind who won’t ask for help but you know they are struggling without an income. So, I help as much as I can,” Nurul said, adding that she was involved with charity work before the MCO was implemented.

After the MCO was enforced, she has had to prepare more food, at least 20 packs daily. And if she doesn’t cook for the day, she would just buy and give to those needy families.

“Depending on the situation, I’ll try to do what I can.

“Usually I will give two side dishes and the rice they would cook on their own. If I have more, then I would give egg and biscuits.”

Nurul, a Chinese convert who followed her husband to Kelantan 17 years ago, admitted that initially some residents were hesitant to accept her help.

This was because she looked Chinese and doesn’t wear a tudung.

“Because it’s Kelantan. So, when they look at me, they are afraid to take it but I have to convince and assure them that I’m Muslim.

“Sometimes, I will bring my two children to convince them or tell them my husband’s name. After some time, they got convinced and now they even ask if there is food for them,” Nurul said.

In many parts of the nation, neighbours are turning heroes to help the needy next door.

The MCO was imposed on March 18 to curb the spread of Covid-19. It has now been extended to April 14 as the number of infections keep rising.

As of yesterday, there are 53 deaths while 3,333 others have been infected. – April 4, 2020.