THE Federal Territories Ministry will set up temporary grocery stalls at Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion for residents who are under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO).

Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa said this will enable residents of the buildings on Jalan Masjid India, in the heart of the capital city, to get food and essentials while under the EMCO.

“We will set up the grocery shops under a tent for them to buy basic items such as rice, eggs, flour and other stuff.

“They can also order food which can be collected at the ground floor of the buildings,” Annuar said during the ministry’s Facebook live session today.

Earlier today, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the welfare of the residents there, who are mostly foreigners, was the responsibility of their high commissions.

Under the EMCO, residents cannot leave their premises to buy food and other essentials.

Ismail, however, said the affected residents can approach the operations centre set up in the area and ask the personnel there to help buy food and other essential goods. But the residents will have to pay for the items.

Ismail was responding to complaints from the residents that they have not received any food from the authorities.

The residents, who are mostly from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, told The Malaysian Insight the EMCO was sprung on them suddenly yesterday, leaving them with no time to stock up on food and other essential items.

There are 160 units per block, with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people residing at both blocks.

Annuar said the ministry will look for a place to erect the tents and get grocery shops to provide the basic products..

“We will also control the number of people allowed to come down and purchase the groceries. Maybe in groups of 10 in a controlled order.”

He said that at least 97% of residents there are foreigners. 

“Yesterday, I met officials from the high commissions of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to inform them that they will be regularly updated on the more than 5,000 foreigners who are living there 

“We will have to follow the the standard operating procedure that is set by the Health Ministry and we also understand about ths welfare of the residents there.” 

Annuar also said he had asked that information is passed on in various languages to the residents there. 

“If they have any issues, we have officers there on standby 24-hours a day. We will also control the movement of people in the vicinity.” – April 8, 2020.