THE Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya (GSPJ) has been overwhelmed by the support from volunteers as Malaysians came together, rolled up their sleeves and got to work helping flood victims.

The Sikh temple focused on preparing free meals for flood victims and put out the word for help.

GSPJ member Paramjeet Singh said the response from volunteers has been overwhelming.

“We are seeing the true spirit of Malaysians. I would say the response has been explosive. 

“We have Malays, Chinese Indians… it’s multiracial. You can see the oneness of Malaysia here.

“This is what we used to have back then and now this flood has brought us all together as one,” he told The Malaysian Insight at the gurdwara.

GSPJ is giving out hot vegetarian meals for flood victims and distributing them across the Klang Valley, hit by flooding following continuous heavy rain over the weekend. 

Paramjeet said the gurdwara’s free food programme began on Sunday, with members organising cooking 5,000 meal packs on Saturday night.

As volunteers poured in to wash, chop and cook food, they were able to prepare and deliver 10,000 food packets by yesterday, which were was distributed by volunteers with pick-up trucks.

Paramjeet said that besides food, GSPJ is now looking at sending out essential items like sanitary pads, milk formula for babies and medication. 

“We don’t know when the situation will be back to normal. We will do this for as long as there is volunteer support.

“We welcome more donations, be it cash or kind, and also volunteers to come and help,” he said. 

Ida Shahira, a university student from Hartamas, said she was scrolling social media and saw a post asking for help at the gurdwara. 

“I saw the post on Twitter at 10pm and immediately asked my parents for permission. Now I’ve been here since 8am,” she told The Malaysian Insight yesterday.

“Shah Alam is currently in inaccessible. So, this is the only thing I can do to help,” the 18-year-old said, referring to one of the worst-hit places in Selangor.

Ida said Malaysians coming together to help those in need was a truer picture of the country than the arguments over politics and race on social media.

“When you get on the ground and engage with others, we find that we really do put our differences aside and help one another,” she said.

At the gurdwara yesterday, there were about 300 volunteers helping to prepare meals, cook, pack and deliver.

A group of 10 people were stationed in a room dubbed the “nerve centre” to handle calls and organise deliveries. 

Another volunteer, Thomas Sham, 59, from Puchong, rode his motorcycle to the gurdwara to help out.

“I’m glad to be part of this project to help the flood victims. 

“These situations show us that Malaysians cannot put race or religion first in the middle of an emergency. 

“We must help one another. We all are part of a big family. Seeing, all of us working together made me very happy,” he said. 

Nawar Anisha, another volunteer from Kota Damansara, said it did not matter that she was volunteering at a house of worship other than her own.

“(People) should try to help as much as they can,” she said. 

She also felt moved that people had “decided to drop everything and come and help”.

Devina Nagarajan, 25, a volunteer from Setapak, said she decided to utilise her annual leave for a good cause. 

“I was already on annual leave. So, rather than sitting at home, I decided to help.”

People who need food are encouraged to contact the GSPJ Flood Foodbank on 010-217-4556.

To contribute to the GSPJ flood relief foodbank, funds can be transferred to the account below:

GSPJ Welfare Fund, Maybank account: 514169141318. – December 21, 2021.