SIBU, July 4: The 10 households at Lai Chee Lane here have taken down white flags after receiving food aid from both individuals and groups.
They had raised the white flags on Friday (July 2) by fixing them at their house gate after they had run out of food supply, hoping that generous individuals would help them out.
A resident, Bagik Jayan, 39, said members of a church came yesterday and gave them food aid after knowing of their plea for help.
“We received a packet of instant noodles, a five-kg bag of rice, a small pack of coffee and tea. An unknown person also gave us a crate of eggs,” she said in jest.
Bagik’s sister, Faridah whose family, including two children who are staying with her, had also received similar items.
“After they gave us the items, they told us to take down the flags and we duly obliged. Our opposite neighbours had also removed the white flag,” said Bagik, who has one teenage son.
Though thankful for the assistance, she feared that items which they received might not last long.
However, she said members of a political party would also be coming this afternoon to give them food aid.
“A member of a political party yesterday told us that they will be coming at between 4pm to 5pm today to donate food items,” she said.
Faridah expressed her appreciation for the prompt response from these people.
However, she and her sister have lost their income as their coffee shop has closed since May 30 due to the enforcement of Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0.
“As we have no income during this period, we are worried about how to pay our house rent. We hope somebody can help us until we are back to work,” she said.
On July 2, Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang said the raising of white flags by families who have run out of food in Lai Chee Lane and other areas in Bukit Assek is a wake-up call to the government that the recent distribution of food aid under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 3.0 is insufficient. — DayakDaily
