THE Federal Territories Ministry will ensure that all citizens under the enhanced movement-control order (EMCO) in northern Kuala Lumpur get sufficient food supply.

Foreigners will be given some basic items, said Minister Annuar Musa, denying reports that Rohingya refugees in the area have no food as the Myanmar embassy does not recognise them as nationals.

“I would like to apologise that in the first two days (of the EMCO), the distribution of aid was minimal as we were receiving the goods in stages.

“We have rectified that, and now, people will get sufficient aid,” he told a media briefing at the Selayang wholesale market, which is in the lockdown area, today.

The food aid will be given to Malaysians living in some 1,500 residential units in the area.

Foreigners, who live in another 1,700 units in the vicinity, will be given basic items bought with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) funds.

“DBKL will use the contributions to buy stock for the foreigners,” said Annuar.

“We will give them basic goods such as rice, and decide on the other items.

“They will also get to buy goods from the grocery shops that will be allowed to open,” he said, referring to stores on the ground floor of apartment buildings in the EMCO area.

“We have officers on duty to go around and ensure full compliance (with health measures).

“If they don’t follow the guidelines, we will shut them.”

On claims that the Rohingya there are on the brink of starvation, he said the allegations are untrue.

“We are giving them aid on humanitarian grounds. Food supply will not be cut.”

He said DBKL welcomes contributions from the corporate sector and charity organisations to help the foreigners under the EMCO.

“If there are companies that want to help, please come forward and contribute to DBKL.

“We will use the funds to buy food for the foreigners.”

Civil society groups can also provide aid, but they cannot enter the area.

“They have to first register with the Welfare Department. If we need help (in terms of manpower), we will look into it,” said Annuar.

“For example, this morning, we got contributions of 10 tonnes of vegetables from Cameron Highlands. We can use people to pack the produce into 1kg or 2kg bags.”

He added that all residential units in lockdown are being observed from eight posts, via drones and by army personnel equipped with binoculars.

A medical team and three ambulances are on standby for residents who need dialysis or other treatment.

“If residents need any assistance, they just have to go to the command centre to make their request,” said the minister.

The authorities yesterday supplied cooking gas tanks to some residents and milk for children. – April 23, 2020.