ABOUT 2,000 residents of the high-density Seri Murni apartments in Selayang are appealing for help after they were put under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) on Monday.

Two residents groups in the area questioned why the order was sprung on them without notice.

They told The Malaysian Insight the residents were not given time to stock up on food and other essentials. People with serious medical conditions requiring urgent attention are also in a bind.

Seri Murni Phase 1 joint management board (JMB) chairman Isiah Jacob said the residents were still in shock over the swift lockdown that took place without warning.

“Why weren’t the residents informed?” Jacob said.

“We didn’t receive any instructions and the residents didn’t even have time to stock up on food and essentials.

“Now the families are complaining they are running out of food.”

Jacob said the authorities could have at least informed the JMB which would have helped to coordinate the event.

More than 2,000 people live in the three apartment blocks in lockdown.

“About half are locals and the rest foreigners. We are worried about the situation.”

He said the Social Welfare Department has yet to appear with aid for the residents. Meanwhile, those who are sick are in need of treatment.

“We have two cases of residents who need dialysis. They were prevented from getting treatment after the EMCO was enforced.

“Another couple called to say they couldn’t take their child to a clinic. Where are the health officers to look into all this?”

He complained that the residents are not even allowed to go out of the housing scheme to throw out their rubbish, which are now heaped up along the corridors and in the lobby.

“They (authorities) should work with the JMB so we can help. We want them to put two officers at all the blocks to address the people’s grouses.

Seri Murni apartments in northern Kuala Lumpur and eight  areas in Selayang are under the EMCO from April 20 to May 3.

These are mainly housing and mixed development areas with low to middle-cost flats and shop lots.The authorities said some 15,000 people living in the vicinity of the KL wholesale market in Selayang will be screened for Covid-19. Testing began on Monday.

The virus has so far infected 5,482 people and killed 92 nationwide as the authorities scramble to contain the pandemic.

Seri Murni Phase 3 JMB chairman Puziah Yeop Harun told The Malaysian Insight some of the residents have run out of food.

“We are still waiting for aid and food from the Welfare Department,” she said.

“We need rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil, and most importantly, milk.

“There are about eight babies that need milk and one baby has a health issue and needs special milk.”

She said three pregnant women could not go for their check-ups because of the lockdown, adding there are also elderly residents with health issues.

“We hope the authorities can set up a temporary clinic in the area.

“We don’t care who is the government of the day, just look after the welfare of the people.”

Batu MP P. Prabakaran, who had received complaints from his constituents about the lockdown, was arrested when he visited the area.

Prabakaran was detained when he got into an argument with Deputy Federal Territories Minister Edmund Santhara.

Prabakaran told The Malaysian Insight yesterday the area under lockdown has a mix of  migrant workers and local residents, adding that most of the foreigners work at the KL wholesale market and shops in the vicinity.

“Some of the locals are odd-job workers, some are daily wage earners and there are also small business owners in the B40 group,” he said, adding that it was crucial that the authorities provide aid to the affected residents. – April 22, 2020.