Malaysians experienced much distress due to pandemic

PUTRAJAYA: Talian Kasih saw a record number of calls during the Covid-19 pandemic, receiving 3,308 calls on April 16 alone, its highest daily record.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said the pandemic and the movement control order (MCO) imposed by the government on March 18 had deeply affected many people – both economically and socially.

“Many were separated from family members who live in different places. Some felt they had no breathing space because they could not leave their homes.

“This caused stress, especially to those within our target groups. Some felt pressured because they had lost their jobs and income. Talian Kasih would usually receive about 145 calls in a day. But on April 16, we were inundated with 3,308 calls, which is a record,” Rina said at her ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday.

The hotline was set up to receive complaints on women, family and community issues, particularly to address emergencies.

The ministry had set up a special Covid-19 hotline to provide counselling and psychology services to those affected by Covid-19 and the MCO.

Rina said the government’s shortterm economic plan (Penjana), which was launched on June 5, would help address many of the problems brought on by the pandemic, particularly the loss of jobs and business closures.

“The ministry is involved in two initiatives under Penjana – Child Care Subsidy programme and Social Assistance Support for Vulnerable Groups programme.

“The RM35mil Child Care Subsidy programme is meant to reduce the burden of working parents during the recovery MCO period through subsidies which can help them save in terms of childcare,” she said.

On the Social Assistance Support for Vulnerable Groups programme, Rina said single mothers and disabled persons were given RM300 in a one-off cash aid.