Nurajahan Mariamah Abdullah, better known as Mary, was also given the keys to her new flat at a People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Seri Cempaka, Jalan Kampung Pasir, with a rental of RM124 per month.

Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa said the ministry was providing such long-term assistance to Mary in the hope of reducing her burden.

“With a proper stall, she can do business and sell other things besides nasi lemak. We hope this will help Mary increase her monthly income. Most importantly, she will have a stable job as a licensed trader.

“We have given her a temporary hawker licence to operate for a limited time from 7am to 10am as per her request,” he said.

Another trader in the area, known as Jenny, whose efforts at making a living amid the Covid-19 pandemic went viral on social media, was also given a temporary licence to operate her business.

Speaking to FMT, Mary said she was extremely grateful for all the support, adding that she had been receiving numerous calls from people offering assistance since her story was first published.

“I used to push my trolley from my home in Jalan Klang Lama all the way to the Taman Desa Waterpark but was not able to sell off all my nasi lemak by the end of the day.

“But now, people are ordering from me. Many customers, friends and even the ministers have helped me. Now I’m doing okay. I’m very thankful to all of them.”

Upon receiving her new stall, Mary said she was looking to expand her business with chicken and squid sambal nasi lemak.

“I do have other plans, but I want to focus on properly setting up my stall first. We shall see, depending on how business takes off from here.”

Beginning tomorrow, Mary can be found selling her nasi lemak along Jalan Desa Utama from 7am, just in front of the Telekom Malaysia building.

Mary took to selling nasi lemak and mee hoon after losing her job as a cleaner in March due to the pandemic. She was spotted pushing her trolley every day around Taman Desa from 6.30am to 11am.

She earned RM80 a day from selling nasi lemak and mee hoon, and spent her afternoon selling cut fruits at a nearby restaurant to supplement her income.

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

She had previously told FMT she hoped to have her own stall one day, a wish that has now become reality.