KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 – The White Flag movement is not something to be embarrassed about and considering that the problem of the Covid-19 pandemic will take a while to come down, the White Flag call from people in distress is something that must be addressed, said Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) and Direct Selling Association of Malaysia (DSAM) at a press conference here today.
The two groups have in fact joined hands to raise emergency funds to purchase essential food supplies for Malaysians whose livelihood have been disrupted by the pandemic and on-going MCOs and are in desperate need.
With the aim of raising RM500,000 from this initiative, the two associations have started distributing food boxes with essential foodstuff like rice, noodles in the Klang Valley and surrounding areas since early July this year.
To date, the food boxes have reached 2000 families at 9 distribution locations including PPR Pantai Ria, Kuala Lumpur; PPR Sri Sabah, Kuala Lumpur; Kampung Tasek Permai, Ampang Jaya; Kampung Labu Lanjut, Sepang; Kampung Baru Sungai Chua, Kajang; Salak Selatan Baru, Kuala Lumpur; PPR Seri Nilam, Ampang; PPR Hiliran Ampang, Kuala Lumpur; and PPR Pandan Mewah, Ampang. More locations are currently being finalised for on-going distributions.
Other items in the food boxes are sardines, baked beans, malt-based chocolate drink powder and biscuits.
President of MRCA, Shirley Tay said not only those in B40 category have been affected by the pandemic but those from other groups as well.
“Many of our members have been badly hit by the pandemic. Some cannot sustain beyond 3 months with their current cash flow positions,” she said.
However, their own difficulties have not stopped some of the retailers from doing their part for the less fortunate, she said, adding that MRCA, with the collaboration with DSAM, hoped to at least help lessen the suffering of the rakyat.
“During this difficult time, we understand many families are struggling to put food on the table. With this initiative, we are working alongside our retail partners from MRCA to help the affected families. Through this small gesture, we hope to help them to get through these challenging times,” said Datuk Tan Chong Guan, President of DSAM.
For more information on the associations’ White Flag support, please visit the websites of MRCA and DSAM.
–WE