In a statement to FMT, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Edmund Santhara said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will assist Nurajahan Mariamah Abdullah, better known as Mary, to get a hawker’s licence and a suitable location for a stall.

Edmund visited Mary, 45, at her home in Sri Lempah Flat, in Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur today, after FMT highlighted her struggle to support her family by selling nasi lemak.

“Mary’s case has also been referred to the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) director Mohd Ajib Ismail for further assistance,” he said.

Mary, who was working as a cleaner, lost her job in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, she has resorted to selling nasi lemak and mee hoon, as she pushes her trolley around Taman Desa from 6.30am to 11am.

She currently earns RM80 a day from selling nasi lemak and mee hoon, and spends her afternoon selling cut fruits at a nearby restaurant to earn some extra income.

Mary lost her husband, who died of a heart attack, six years ago and has taken on the responsibility of caring for her mother and three children.

She told FMT she had hoped to have her own stall one day.