UNINESS

People’s Perspectives on Covid-19 and MCO

“I’m grateful for the continual support, otherwise my 40-year family legacy will end.”

Before successfully halting the spread of Covid-19 infections, Malaysia’s Movement Control Order (MCO) is continually being extended, albeit at different levels. It is unlikely the MCO will be fully lifted anytime soon, having a negative socioeconomic impact on the population. Over the past year, people struggled to make a living. Being involved in traditional trades, our 10 interviewees are disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Be it decades-old family trades or entrepreneurship, our dear uncles and aunties formed strong social connections within their community. Some of them set up shop on the main street of their respective towns, their regular customers being familiar faces; some of them became time-honoured shops, attracting both local and foreign tourists. During MCO, formerly bustling streets emptied, footfall and traffic decreased. As restrictions eased, reopened businesses suffered huge decline in revenue; those still under extended temporary closure had no income at all.

The previously implemented vehicle passenger limit and interdistrict travel ban, alongside with roadblocks on major roads and highways, causing local residents to spend extra resources and time in commuting to work. Though effective in containing virus transmission across regions, the current interstate travel ban exerts substantial harm to various livelihoods of the populace. The lack of outstation tourists weakened economic activities of attraction towns, particularly local specialty foods and traditional handcrafts. In conjunction with festivals, those who work or study in other regions could not return to their hometown for family gatherings. Senior citizens who still dwell in rural places could only express their longing for family through phone calls.

The prevalence of smartphone use, as well as social media networks, has changed the way of human interaction and businesses. Products could be sold online without the necessity of a physical store. However, technological advancement has its shortcomings. There are a number of people who are technologically illiterate, online commerce is beyond their capabilities. Struggling to meet the dispatch time set by online selling platforms, and worrying about potential customers making enquiries in foreign languages, are challenges faced by one-person businesses. Moreover, most of the elderly are in semi-retirement, only working to pass time. They intend to work as long as they could, without expecting to make great profit.

Each community has a shared future, only by mutual help and care can we get rid of the dilemma caused by the pandemic. Dear uncles and aunties face setbacks with optimism, steadily march ahead while keeping hopes alive for a better tomorrow.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen
Music : 《Emotional Epic Movie 2》 / 《Simple Inspiring Piano》 / 《Piano》

COPYRIGHTS 2021 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

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Well-being amid the Covid-19 Pandemic

“Since the implementation of MCO a year ago, times were somewhat hard. The most crucial thing now is being able to earn a living, and stay healthy.”

One year ago, the government declared a nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, it aroused anxiety among common folks, as their daily toil either face strict restraints or temporary closure. Over the past year, the government tighten or loosen restrictions according to the rising or flattening of the infection curve. As the epidemic situations vary across all states, some people headed back to work under the new normal, while others are yet to resume their work.

10 interviewees, hailing from northern, central, and southern regions, each facing different challenges which we compiled into three short films. They work in different sectors, namely services, light manufacturing, and eateries, all being traditional trades severely affected by the pandemic. For instance, the ferry service between Negeri Sembilan and Selangor was suspended due to interstate travel ban, the ferryman felt helpless; others such as moisturising powder manufacturing, wooden clogs making, shoes repairing service, and eateries have a choice whether to operate or not, depending on the current regulations; whereas pineapple plantation, considered as basic needs, was least affected and operations were as usual.

This time around, even though lacking the warmth of face-to-face communication, they are still keen on sharing. We reunite with dear uncles and aunties via video chat, and listen to their past year’s journey, of which they had a lot on their minds. Their routine of life being disrupted, boredom at home proved to be tough. Even after resuming business in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP), the reduced crowd caused a drastic drop in business volume.

The Covid-19 virus poses an invisible threat to public health, especially the elderly and people with weak immune system are at higher risk. Our dear uncles and aunties are aware that good personal hygiene habit is innegligible, hence taking actions to prevent the spread of the virus: wear face masks, wash hands regularly, practice social distancing. It is important to fulfill civic responsibility, for the sakes of families and neighbourhoods, although adapting to the new normal SOP is troublesome, they try to minimise outings and gatherings.

Social distancing may limit human interactions, however solicitude is always present. The transition from face-to-face communication to video chat may sometimes be interrupted by technical problems such as network connection error, lagging image, phone battery low etc., adding a fun touch to their adjustment to a different communication style. Getting in touch with them again after a long period of separation, enquiring about each other’s well-being, reminiscing fond memories, and enjoying tender affections.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen
Music : 《Sentimental》 / 《Romantic Wedding》 / 《Emotional Cinematic Trailer》

COPYRIGHTS 2021 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

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Brailler Repair Technician

There are six keys on a metal-clad Braille typewriter (Brailler), each corresponding to a Braille dot. When keys are pressed, the stylus within the embossing head makes neat indentations on the paper. Braille is formatted in two parallel vertical lines of three dots each, roughly the size of human fingertips. Different dot combinations represent each alphabet and number, as well as equivalents for music, mathematical, and scientific symbols. This internationally used tactile text format is developed by French educator —— Louis Braille, and gained international recognition in mid-19th century.

In the workshop, Mr Raj Kumar s/o Subramaniam is engaged in repairing 20 Braillers from a special school for the blind in Johor. As the second-generation Brailler technician, he took over duties previously carried out by his father, Mr Subramaniam a/l Sengamalai, at the very same workshop, and even the same workbench, located in Malaysian Association of the Blind (MAB) complex. This is the only place throughout Malaysia which offers Brailler repairs, as well as providing training in repairs.

MAB is a nonprofit organization founded in 1951. Its quarters are located in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. Also known as “Little India”, Brickfields houses the largest vision-impaired community in Malaysia, with thousands currently residing in the area. Therefore tactile paving sidewalks and acoustic traffic signals are among the accessible facilities on civic streets. MAB is the first-established blind associations among several in Brickfields. Over the past seven decades, it provides the blind with education programmes, vocational training, and career opportunities in order for them to be self-sufficient.

There are three visual classifications recognized internationally: B1 (total blindness), B2 (partial vision of shadows and movement), and B3 (severe low vision/tunnel vision). With the aid of magnifiers or telescopic devices, those with B3 are able to read and study just like normal people. However those with B1 and B2 rely on Braille to read and write using the sense of touch. The Perkins Brailler® is popular and commonly used worldwide. Invented in the 1950s by the Perkins school for the blind in the United States, it is a typewriting instrument with precise design, portability, and durability.

In the 1960s, MAB received authorization from Perkins for Brailler sales and repairs. Back then, Mr Maniam, who initially joined MAB as printer and binder, had the opportunity to attend a month-long repair training workshop conducted by Perkins personnel, and obtained a good Brailler technician qualification. Throughout the past 50 years, he diligently handled nationwide Brailler maintenance and repair works, amounting to over 10,000 machines. On the other hand, Mr Maniam was invited to conduct Braille repairing workshop both locally and internationally, having been to Pakistan, Bangkok, and Bangladesh.

The main layout of a Brailler are paper levers, paper rollers, a carriage which moves the embossing head, and nine keys which stand for six Braille dots, spacebar, line spacing, and backspace. There are several tiny components within the Brailler, which may be damaged by improper usage or a fall. The most common problems are wear and tear, minor incidents such as broken springs will require replacement; major incidents such as a cracked roller will require the Brailler to be dismantled in order to identify the problem and perform repairs. General maintenance help to keep the Brailler clean and prevent difficulties, just by taking out the cover, brush away dust and cobwebs, and then lubricate.

Upon Mr Maniam’s retirement eight years ago, Mr Raj decided to succeed him. Mr Raj often followed his father to work, and sparked an interest in mechanical repairs. He took over after having attended a two-week workshop organized by Perkins. Mr Raj enjoys overcoming the challenges encountered in Brailler repairs. Occasionally he helps to repair guiding sticks in his spare time. Besides that, he operates a thermoform machine to make tactile graphics for blind textbooks.

Both Mr Maniam and Mr Raj take pride in servicing the blind community, and the blinds are familiar with the corner workshop on the second floor of MAB complex. Braille opened the doors of knowledge to all those who cannot see. Even though advanced technology may offer convenience for the vision-impaired, Braille could not be replaced as the main channel of communication. The click-clack sound of Braillers will still resound in MAB.

Malaysian Association for the Blind
03-2272 2677
www.mab.org.my
www.facebook.com/mabmalaysia
www.facebook.com/mablind.page
www.instagram.com/malaysianassoc.fortheblind/

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Video Editor : Evon Pang
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Music : 《Simple Melody Piano》

COPYRIGHTS 2021 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

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