But amidst this chaos, everyday citizens – residents and those out of state or abroad – have banded together to uplift the community. Here are some stories.
1. Helping hawkers and the hungry
Since the start of the lockdown, Bernard Neoh, 47, and Kane Lim, 31, have spent hours driving to hundreds of homes with their mobile food bank.
In April, an elderly woman gave Neoh RM100 to put towards a good cause. He has since fed hundreds by buying from struggling hawkers to deliver to the hungry, and has been met with overwhelming support from locals who send in donations every day.
While many Malaysians take hawker food for granted, Neoh said these simple pleasures are treasures for some.
“In the old folk’s homes and homes for the disabled, it’s hard for them to go outside and eat hokkien mee. When we serve them this food they’re always very happy.
“It’s a three-way win as the hungry are being fed, the donors feel like they’re doing a good deed, and we’re helping the hawkers,” he said.
Donations can be sent to Neoh through his Facebook profile.
2. Family saved by locals
Mohd Shahrul Shah’s world came crashing down when he entered the lockdown without a job. With a wife, two children and nine cats, the 43-year-old’s savings diminished rapidly.
He tried looking for work and even contacted the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the state government, but to no avail.
Then Shahrul’s sister-in-law entered the family’s name into the Kita Jaga app and, as their white flag was flown, strangers poured in to help the family.
“Indians, Malays and Chinese have all helped me,” Shahrul said. “I didn’t know them before this, but I thank God that somebody helped us and brought food for my family.”
3. Ex-classmates’ meaningful celebration
The Chung Ling Old Boys 86 (CLOB86) were supposed to reunite for their 35th anniversary. But when the pandemic dashed their plans, the former classmates still banded together and raised RM110,000 to run a food bank.
For two weeks, long queues formed on Beach Street as 300 to 400 people waited each day to feed their families.
4. Retirees and datuks join forces
“We will keep doing this until the situation improves,” said the president of Kiwanis Club Penang Central, Dennis Chuah.
The club, made up of 50 members comprising retirees and professionals, has helped thousands in the local community. Joining forces with YBs and NGOs across Penang, they have been able to locate and deliver food directly to the needy.
Chuah, 48, adds that they have been talking to organisations to provide free mental health support in the near future for struggling citizens.
To contribute to Kiwanis, contact them via Facebook.
5. Providing mental health support
Since March last year, Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang has sent food aid and sanitary supplies to thousands on Penang island as well as in Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam.
Hungry Indians, Chinese, Malays and even Rohingya have been fed, and many are still alive thanks to the team’s 24-hour mental health hotline.
Honorary secretary Sukhveer Kaur, 56, has heard all sorts of distress calls, from domestic abuse to suicidal thoughts by those as young as 12.
She immediately connects these callers with trusted parties like the Women’s Centre for Change, the Befrienders, and mental health doctors in government sectors.
“It’s satu Malaysia,” said Sukhveer. “You don’t just help your own people, you help everyone as we’re all human at the end of the day.”
To help Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang, contact Sukhveer on WhatsApp at 012-4300497 for their banking details. She can also be reached if you are in need of mental health support.