The hearts and spirits of many Malaysians have been broken following the war against Covid-19 and the economic and political uncertainty that followed.
In her column in Malay news portal Getaran this week, Twentytwo13’s managing editor Pearl Lee, said some had almost given up hope, while others were waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel.
Pearl said a little kindness and good news could go a long way during this period, and it had been heartening to see local communities coming together to help those in need.
The good work of local non-governmental organisations, including Yayasan Kebajikan Suria Permas in Johor Baru, which was featured in Channel News Asia recently, caught Pearl’s attention.
Founded by James Ho, the NGO had been providing food for the homeless in Johor Bahru, who had been forced to live in tents.
Some had lost their jobs in Singapore due to the pandemic and had nowhere else to go after their savings dried up.
Ho said hunger was the one thing that needed to be addressed immediately and that we must resolve the problem the best way possible.
“In Kuala Lumpur, the sad tale of retired soldier Suria Mohamad Hassan, who was forced to live under a bridge with his wife and five children two years ago has come under the spotlight,” Pearl wrote.
However, the fate of the former army officer who once served as a United Nations peacekeeper in Bosnia, changed overnight after the authorities said he and his family would be temporarily relocated to Flat Sri Johor in Cheras while Kuala Lumpur City Hall identified a permanent flat unit for him.
Suria, who receives a RM1,100 monthly pension, will also receive an additional RM300 beginning this month from the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Department. The department will also help to upgrade a fruit stall belonging to the 58-year-old.
Pearl also highlighted the noble efforts of Taman Tun Dr Ismail residents’ association, which raised RM17,933 to purchase food baskets for Sungai Penchala residents. They were running low on food and supplies after being placed under Enhanced Movement Control Order on June 10.
TTDI residents’ association chairman Abdul Hafiz Abu Bakar told Twentytwo13 earlier this week that the decision to help those in Sungai Penchala came after they learnt that the residents there were having difficulty in getting food, and other supplies.
Abdul Hafiz had also shared that those living in neighbouring areas, including Mutiara Damansara and Mont Kiara, had also contributed to ‘Tabung Prihatin PKPD Sg Penchala Kuala Lumpur’.
Pearl said that while Abdul Hafiz acknowledged that money can move things, what is more important is the spirit of volunteerism, and people putting their skills and knowledge to good use.
To read the column, visit Getaran.my.
