LIFE is challenging for at least 7,000 Rohingya refugees under the movement control order (MCO) in Selayang and Gombak as aid trickles in for the community, said an activist.

For months now, community leader Rafik Shah Mohd Ismail from Humanitarian Aid Selangor has supplied groceries to almost 3,000 Rohingya families living in those areas.

Rafik told The Malaysian Insight a difficult situation has become worse this week after Selayang and its surrounding areas were put under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO).

“There are about 7,000 Rohingya families living in the Selayang and Gombak areas,” he said.

“We are currently providing food aid to about 3,000 families. Since the MCO, we expect the number of families who have lost their jobs to increase five-fold all over the Klang Valley.”

He said each family receives a food package worth RM70, which lasts about two weeks. The package contains rice, oil, flour, potatoes, onions, canned food, baby formula, biscuits, noodles, soy products and more.

Rafik is concerned about the Rohingya families under the EMCO near the wholesale market in Selayang in northern Kuala Lumpur.  The area is in lockdown until May 3.

“There are about 400 Rohingya families at the Seri Murni flats and 200 more staying around the flats.

“We are trying to help, but it is not enough. Let’s not look at ethnicity but try to help them.”

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

Rohingya families in Selayang have been scrounging to make ends meet after the heads of the households lost their jobs due to the MCO.

They told The Malaysian Insight they are surviving on the goodwill of Rafik and his organisation.

Rabiah Rashid, a Rohingya who lives there, said it has become difficult to feed her family since her husband lost his job at the Selayang market.

“I have two children, aged nine and 11, to feed. Since my husband lost his job we have been depending on the goodwill of civil society groups.

“He used to earn between RM50 and RM70 a day, but all that is now gone.”

Rabiah said her biggest concern is rent, which costs RM550 a month.

“We haven’t paid rent for two months. We are surviving on the little aid we get,” said the 28-year-old.

Iman Hussin, 49, has to put food on the table for six children, aged from five and 17, after her husband, an odd-job worker, lost his job.

“My husband has been jobless since the MCO. He was our only source of income and now that’s gone.

“We do get some aid, but it’s not enough for the whole family. I’m also a diabetic patient and the free clinic here has closed down.”

Zahari Janat, 45, said her husband has lost his job in Australia.

“We have three children aged 13, 16, 18 to feed. He was the sole breadwinner and he has lost his job.

“He used to send us RM1,000 for food and rent. Our rent is RM600 and this month I could only pay half as we have run out of money.”

Fatimah Osman said her husband has lost his job butchering chicken at the Sentul market since the MCO was enforced.

“We have a bit of savings but we are not sure how long it’s going to last as we also have two young children to feed.”

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Malaysia has 101,010 Rohingya, who make up the largest refugee group in the country.

The MCO was enforced on March 18 to break the chain of Covid-19 infections. It has since been extended to May 12.

Malaysia has so far recorded 5,691 coronavirus cases with 96 deaths.

Recoveries have exceeded new cases in recent days, with 3,663 patients having been discharged as of yesterday. – April 25, 2020.