Businesses helping people in need during movement control order

Employees of a nasi kandar chain distributing free food packs to medical staff at Seberang Jaya Hospital. (Below) A company representative giving out free food in Alma, Bukit Mertajam.

EATERIES in Penang are doing their bit to help frontliners who are working tirelessly to protect the people during the movement control order (MCO) by preparing free food and drinks for them.

A nasi kandar chain has invited all government uniformed personnel on duty during the MCO to visit its eateries and pick up rice packets and iced lemon tea for free.

Its chief executive officer Datuk Sihabutheen Kirudu Mohamed said this was their way of giving thanks to the frontliners.

“We want to ease their burden, those who may find it difficult to get food.

“They can drop by our nearest restaurant and collect the food packs.

“All they need to do is show their identifi-cation card and that they are a frontliner.

“This is a difficult moment for all of us, it’s the least we can do, ” he said, adding that the restaurant was also delivering free food to personnel at local hospitals and health clinics.

Meanwhile, a pasembur restaurant has given out free food not only to frontliners, but to the homeless as well.

Its director Rais Ahmad Mohd Hussain said he started giving out food from March 19.

“The homeless do not have access to food or money. We must look out for them. We have been delivering food and water since the MCO started.

“We are looking for face masks and hand sanitisers to give them.

“We are also delivering food to the police, volunteers, hospitals, council workers and deliver riders.

“So far, 300 packs of food and water have been given out and there will be more, ” he said.

A food-related company chief executive officer SK Sundram said they have been giving out 1,000 packets of free food and water bottles each day since the MCO was announced.

“There are many needy families in the Bukit Mertajam area and some work for us.

“The Alma area where our factory is located has many B40 communities and the MCO will definitely disrupt their lives.

“Many people may not receive their daily income and the least we can do is to help out, ” he said.

Other fast food eateries have also embarked on efforts to provide free food to frontliners.

The public have also shown their gratitude with one post on social media depicting a group of people dropping off 200 coconut jelly packs at the Beach Street police station in George Town.