These MPs Have Set Up Hotlines To Help Senior Citizens Get Groceries Amidst The RMO
The service is available to senior citizens in some parts of Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Following the worsening COVID-19 outbreak in the country and the introduction of a restriction of movement order (RMO), many Malaysians have resorted to panic-buying
This is despite Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's assurance that there are enough food supplies for everyone and deterred Malaysians from buying essential goods in bulk.
While some hypermarkets have introduced a special 30-minute window to allow senior citizens to shop in a safe and non-crowded environment, three Members of Parliament in different constituencies have decided to further simplify the process for the elderly people to get their groceries.
They have set up hotlines that allow senior citizens to order groceries via call or WhatsApp.
Here are the three MPs who offer the service:
1. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa MP)
Image via Zulfadhli Zulkifli/New Straits Times
In a Facebook post published yesterday, 18 March, the Setiawangsa lawmaker said senior citizens can WhatsApp the items they need to a dedicated number and make the payment via bank transfer or in person.
"This is to reach out to the elderly, who are the most vulnerable to COVID-19," Nik Nazmi told Malaysiakini.
"Some do not have family members to help out, so this is our small contribution at the local level."
The PKR chief organising secretary said the initiative is run by fifteen people comprising his staff. They are paid a small allowance for the service.
Here are the details:
Hotline: +6013-3341445
Order method: WhatsApp only
Online payment: 8603314838 (CIMB Bank)
Delivery time: Within 24 hours
Operation hours: 10am to 5pm
Service eligibility: Only for senior citizens age 60 and above living in Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur
Helpline for more information: +03-41314293 / +6018-3589388
Read the full post for more information:
2. Nurul Izzah Anwar (Permatang Pauh MP)
Image via Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail
Former PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar has also set up a similar initiative and she highlighted that the team in Permatang Pauh, Penang charges no delivery fee.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Nurul Izzah said the service aims to help at-risk groups like B40 households with children with special needs, old folks who live alone, and those receiving government benefits.
She added that the service is run by 15 volunteers comprising PKR Youth members in her parliamentary constituency. Other than buying groceries, the service includes helping the elderly buy medicines at pharmacies as well.
Here are the details:
Hotlines: +6017-4777313 (Captain Amir) / +6013-5880917 (Nur Syafina)
Delivery time: About 15 minutes
Operation hours: 6pm to 10pm
Service eligibility: Only for senior citizens living in Permatang Pauh (Seberang Jaya, Penanti, and Permatang Pasir)
Read the full post for more information:
3. Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau MP)
Image via Firdaus Latif/Malay Mail
Former deputy tourism minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik is another opposition MP who has introduced a similar initiative in his constituency in Balik Pulau, Penang.
Here are the details:
Hotlines: +6019-5214014
Online payment: 07040001298719 (Bank Muamalat)
Operation hours: 6pm to 10pm
Service eligibility: Only for senior citizens living in Balik Pulau, George Town
Read the full post for more information:
Image via Malaysiakini
Meanwhile, here are other paid services that allow you to order groceries online:
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