KUCHING, July 3: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) is urging the government to seriously look into the well-being and welfare of the urban poor group, which has been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the party’s potential candidate for Pending constituency, Teo Kuang Kim in a statement today, the urban poor were the most neglected group, with their income greatly reduced by the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), or have even been retrenched as a result.
“These urban poor groups consist mainly of petty traders, hawkers, construction workers, shop attendants and daily paid workers.
“Many of them came from the rural areas to seek a living in town and almost all are renting houses in congested rooms or dilapidated squatter areas,” he said.
Teo pointed out that the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR), which was announced by the government recently was “too little and too late” as many in the Medium 40 (M40) groups had already fallen into Below 40 (B40), after a prolonged period of lockdown.
He proposed for a minimum of RM500 every month to every citizen regardless of income categories, for a period of six-months or until the pandemic is over.
“There have also been numerous reports of many who genuinely needed food aid but are not receiving them. This is alarming; people are in need of help and white flags are erected in many places in desperation,” he added, referring to the white flag movement in the country, where people who urgently need help have taken to raising white flags outside their homes as the nationwide lockdown shows no sign of abating.
Teo also called on those who are in need of help to contact the following contact numbers for assistance.
“We will try our best to help. Those in need can contact Raymond Thong at 012-888 1188 (Padungan); Lue Cheng Hing at 010-899 5678 (Sentosa); Chai Kueh Khun at 019-826 1588 (Batu Kawa); Wong Tun Teck at 012-475 5772 (Batu Kitang); Teo Kuang Kim at 012-888 0727 (Pending) and Atet Dego at 60 16-892 2652 (Stakan),” he said. — DayakDaily
