RESIDENTS in the locked-down Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion in Kuala Lumpur will be given three meals a day, Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa said.

According to Annuar, it was not “normal practice” by the government to provide aid for citizens of other nations, the ministry will do so through several civil society groups, which will provide meals, paid for by the ministry, for the 1,850 mostly foreign residents in the two buildings.

“I do not want to see them in distress and although it is not normal practice to cover foreigners with government funds, we have arranged to get fellow Malaysians, civil society groups and those who could contribute, to help donate food to them.

“God willing, with the help of friends and the groups, all of them will be provided with three meals a day,” Annuar said in a press conference broadcast on Facebook.

He said there are 1,850 people in the two buildings based on the latest census taken.

The two apartment buildings on Jalan Masjid India in the heart of the capital are under an enhanced movement control order following the detection of Covid-19 cases there.

The residents are mainly from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and their high commissions have been informed that their dwellings are under lockdown.

However, the high commissions have yet to confirm any contributions of aid, Annuar said.

“According to normal procedures, the high commissions of these countries should take responsibility for their citizens.

“I have had a meeting with them recently, but so far it has not been clear what contribution they can make, although we have given some suggestions,” he said.

Don’t try to run away

Annuar also said dry groceries are not given to the residents in the two buildings because he was informed that they don’t cook, and kitchens in some apartments have been converted to living space.

This was why he made the food delivery options available to the residents there because most depended on prepared meals.

“So, yesterday we announced that one could order food from outside and can have it delivered because we know many of those who live here depend on it,” he said.

“Those in the two blocks, give cooperation to the health officers, police officers, army personnel and DBKL enforcement officers.

“Don’t leave the building. The other day, one person escaped. There is no need to do such things because we are working hard to help all of you in both Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion,” he said.

The enhanced MCO on the buildings is the fourth such order issued since movement restrictions were introduced on March 18.

The first order was in two areas in Simpang Renggam, Johor, on March 27.

The second was on Sungai Lui in Selangor on March 30 and the third was on Menara City One in Kuala Lumpur on March 31. – April 9, 2020.