Enhanced MCO: Selangor, Malayan Mansion residents worry about food

PETALING JAYA: In a blink of an eye, the lives of the residents of Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion, which were put under enhanced movement control order, have turned upside down.

Kamal (not his real name) said while he supported the government’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19, he was worried about food.

“We also want to be safe, and we understand that (the enhanced MCO) is for our safety, and so we want to support what the government is doing.

“The only problem is that we are not sure how to get food, ” he told The Star on Tuesday (April 7).

The Malaysian, who is from Sabah, said while he had earlier bought some bread from a hypermarket, he would have to rely on the kindness of others for his food.

“One of the restaurants along our street sent food to our flats. That was very kind of them. The restaurant owner said they will be sending food to us during the enhanced MCO.

“If (the enhanced MCO) gets extended, we’ll just have to see whoever has compassion on us and can donate food to us, ” said the driver who is in his 50s.

The government’s announcement to place the flats under enhanced MCO, he said, had caught the residents unawares and they were not briefed on what to expect.

“On Monday (April 6) night, the authorities came around and asked for our names and details.

"They checked how many are living in the units, and asked the places that we have been lately.

“They also asked us if we have fever or other health problems such as diabetes, ” he said.

He said that it was only when some residents wanted to go outside of the flats on Tuesday (April 7) that they were told that they could not do so.

“I was surprised when this happened, I didn’t even know who has Covid-19 in our flats.

“When some people wanted to go out, they saw the authorities putting up barricades.

“But (the residents) understood that this move was done to save us. There are many foreigners living here, and all of us are supporting what the government is doing, ” he said.

The two flats along Jalan Masjid India were the latest areas to be placed under the enhanced MCO, after 15 people were diagnosed with Covid-19.

The enhanced MCO involves some 6,000 residents in 365 residential and commercial units in the buildings.

Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa has said the ministry would be working with the High Commissions of the foreign nationals affected by the enhanced MCO.

He added that information on the move would also be broadcast via loud hailers to the residents in their languages as well.

The Health Ministry is hoping to complete screening for residents within 10 days.

Enhanced MCO has also been enforced in Sungai Lui village in Hulu Langat, Menara City One in Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Kuala Lumpur, as well as in Kampung Datuk Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Baharu Datuk Ibrahim Majid in Simpang Renggam.