PERTIWI Soup Kitchen assistant secretary Laili Ismail said the organisation’s founder Munirah Abdul Hamid’s legacy of distributing food to the homeless and urban poor will continue.

She said the words and actions of Munirah, who died on Monday, resonated with others and served as a blueprint for the organisation. 

“Even though her loss is unexpected, we can continue her work smoothly because of the standard operating procedures she created. 

“She has set up the workflow for these operations and we can confidently go on to help those in need,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

Laili said Munirah was fondly remembered by everyone who knew her. They could attest to her dedication in helping the needy for the last 50 years.

“What we really like about her is that she is a very systematic and strict person but has a kind heart.

“She is also very friendly and will surely be missed,” she added. 

Munirah was born in Alor Star, Kedah and briefly attended Tunku Kurshiah College in Seremban before going on to get her law degree from Universiti Malaya. 

She got married and had two children.  

After several years of carrying out various welfare programmes, Munirah founded Pertiwi in 2010 in Kuala Lumpur.

Through Pertiwi, she brought in volunteers from all walks of life to assist the needy.  

Laili said Pertiwi started off as a small-scale operation with a group of Munirah’s friends and grew to be what it is now, an organisation capable of serving hundreds of homeless people.

“We have a steady stream of volunteers coming in to help. 

“We are grateful for their support and doing what is necessary to ensure this project goes on.”

She added that even on the day of Munirah’s death, Pertiwi continued its services to the community.

“People kept asking whether we were stopping, and I said no, we are continuing and served lunch and dinner.

“Even though it was tiring for our members, we didn’t stop serving the homeless.”

Donations welcome 

Laili said Pertiwi serves about 3,000 meals a week.

The food is distributed to these areas: Pusat Transit Gelandangan Medan Tuanku, Pusat Pembelajaran Komuniti Chow Kit, Tamil Methodist Church Sentul, Pusat Transit Gelandangan Anjung Kembara, Blind Masseurs@Brickfields, and SEED Foundation.

Breakfast is served at 7am, lunch at noon, dinner between 6.30pm to 7.30pm, and supper at 9pm.  

“We have four food suppliers for all these places. We also have two in-house cooks that prepare food daily.  

“It is usually chicken, fish, minced meat, and sometimes prawns cooked in different ways.”

She said current operational costs could amount to RM100,000.  

“Besides the meals, Pertiwi gives out monthly grocery packs to about 170 families, and milk and diapers (for adults and babies) to 130 families. 

“There is also the yearly back-to-school project, which costs RM60,000 for 370 students from 160 families.”

Laili said Pertiwi needed funds to continue its operations. 

“As everyone is facing economic issues, we are grateful to those who donate.”

She added that Pertiwi wanted to invite everyone to come and assist them with their Malaysia Day breakfast, which was started by Munirah seven years ago. 

“This programme gets civil society groups together to give out food to the homeless. 

“The groups are also from all races to celebrate the Malaysian spirit on that day. – September 10, 2023.