Spider-Man swings in with groceries at Hang Tuah Flats

KUALA LUMPUR: Spider-Man brought smiles and joy to the residents of Hang Tuah Flats in Pudu here when he swung in to deliver some essentials to 24 families caught in the web of hardship brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aided by the Bukit Bintang MCA division, the Jalan Alor Hawker Association, and crowdfunding platform GoCare, Spider-Man didn’t swing from buildings this time but took the stairs and personally delivered essentials to these families yesterday.

Children marvelled at the superhero as they looked out from the windows of their homes along the corridors. Some attempted to snap a selfie with the friendly neigbourhood web-crawler as he brought along bags of groceries to their units.

Spider-Man’s secret identity was eventually revealed, and it was none other than GoCare programme manager Xilas Ngang, who explained that this was all part of his company’s “Be My Hero” awareness campaign, a tribute to the frontliners battling Covid-19.

“We are supporting our frontliners being Malaysian heroes as part of the campaign. Through this campaign, we want to urge the public that aside from taking care of ourselves, we also must support our frontliners in the midst of the pandemic,” he said.

Ngang said he brought along several “care packages” that included reusable and disposable masks, and hand sanitisers.

“These are basic needs besides food during the pandemic and that’s why in GoCare, we are working with all local NGOs.

“We have already sent more than 800 packs nationwide since last week,” he said, adding that requests for help are just one phone call away.

Bukit Bintang MCA division chairman Ng Chin, who was also present, said the 24 families were identified after they had approached their representatives under the Federal Territories Resident’s Council (MPP).

He also said members of the public are welcome to apply for aid through the MPP, the Bukit Bintang MCA division or GoCare, adding that it does not require the hassle of being thoroughly vetted in order to be a recipient of the food aid programme.

“Some MPs would want to know whether or not you are voters of a particular constituency, and they would ask for all sorts of details which would be quite complicated for senior citizens.

“For us, it’s very simple: just give us your phone number and address and we will send someone over,” he added.

Ng also said the Bukit Bintang MCA division had distributed more than 1,000 food baskets to various families living in People’s Housing Projects (PPR) across Salak South, Desa Petaling and Kuala Lumpur.

“The deliveries are fast as well because we cooperate with the Jalan Alor Hawker association,” he added.

Jalan Alor Hawker Association secretary Simon Ang said his NGO wants to help more Malaysians because they have mainly aided foreigners near where they are situated in Jalan Alor.

He said in the last 74 days, his NGO has received one tonne of food donated by various bakeries.

Those who need help can request assistance from GoCare and NGOs through WhatsApp on 019-669-6278 or call 03-220-339-20.

Many parts of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are under a 14-day enhanced MCO until July 16 to curb the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.