Yesterday morning I got a call from PNM officer requesting me to deliver my book Elevate. I asked the officer, What is the day today?… #toolong #stayathome #peninglalat #blurblur
Because of Movement Control Order (MCO), the book delivery to PNM had to wait.
And we have been in MCO starting from 18 March – 12 May 2020. A good fifty four days #stayathome #workfromhome under MCO.
Long enough to form a good (or bad habit) 😉
Starting 8 May, businesses and service providers in Malaysia are progressively opening up – and we are still under the conditional MCO (CMCO) until June 9.
Penang has been a green zone (zero cases) for the last 14 days; other states in Malaysia are showing less positive cases (yellow). But as there are some clusters of positive cases in other parts of Malaysia–therefore, under CMCO, any interstate travels are restricted and individuals need a travel permit.
Back to the phone call.
It’s Thursday, isn’t it? I mumbled. The officer corrected me, No. It’s Wednesday today… and let me know when you can deliver the books.
A phone call that I had been waiting patiently for the last 2 months.
I mumbled a few more things and let the officer know the day I could make the delivery. Whatever it is, I realised I needed to get a travel permit for the interstate delivery.
The Police, Gerak Malaysia and SoCar
Went to the nearest police station and learned that I could use Gerak Malaysia app to register my movement – according to them, I just needed to flash the QR code if asked at any road blocks.
Later I discovered that the app is only for applications to travel the same day. It doesn’t allow the users to choose a travel date. Apply for the permit (QR code) on the travel day.
A kind policeman advised me, if this doesn’t work come to the office and they’d issue a paper permit. Thank you Datuk! Pheww…
The next thing was renting a car (since I don’t have one – yet). And my driving licence had expired. I went to a post office to renew it.
And… surprise, surprise… there was a long queue. It moved for about 20 steps in 40 minutes of standing there. Yes, I counted.the.steps. Not much progress.
Never mistaken movement for progress
Hmmm… Then, an idea came. I took a chance.
I contacted Socar via their live chat – informing them about my driving license status and that the government allows extension of expired licenses until after MCO.
In less than 5 minutes, Socar sent me the above sms. It echoed the government’s stand. Thank so much Socar for the super-fast response and support – quite timely considering it’s during the CMCO period.
Off to Sinaran’s book factory
Drove my rented Socar to collect the books at Sinaran’s factory. A smiling Encik Ali was already waiting with Elevate books wrapped in white papers. He helped lifting, arranging those heavy stacks into the back of the car. In the back, it’s all padded with boxes and bubble wraps to deliver them in good conditions to PNM.
Next, Ali took me for a quick tour around the factory. He showed me the vintage machines (my first impression: it looked like a museum!). And the shiny and massive new machines that can be automatically-set to churn out thousands of books.
I’m a book worm but never ever crossed my mind to get this opportunity to take a step into a ‘book factory’ site. Ali was very pleased to show me one of his ‘creations’ – how he combine the inner of a book with a beautiful cover. Interesting =)
Cherita Hari Ini – Khamis 14 Mei 2020
My drive to PNM was smooth yet uneventful. I got my travel permit via Gerak Malaysia and left for Kuala Lumpur (KL) before dawn.
Surprising to see no roadblocks all the way from Penang to KL.
I reached PNM around 10 am. The ever-helpful PNM staff helped me to move the heavy stacks of books to a meeting room while maintaining no contact and social distancing.
Hand sanitised, books unpacked, arranged, counted several times and finally documents signed off – quite efficient working with PNM staff. A big thank you to Bahagian Pembinaan Koleksi (BPK) PNM for the help and assistance! =)
About 1.5 hours later, I headed back to Penang. Several hundred kilos lighter. Better pick-up, haha 😉
My observations on the way back to Penang #CMCO #PKPB
During the drive back, I noticed fewer cars but more lorries and long trailer trucks.
A shopper’s ‘attendance’ and body temperatures were noted down on a piece of paper when entering a petrol station shop.
Eateries and surau at the main R&R remained closed. I managed to find a tiny surau for women at a petrol station–it had a big signage saying that ‘… it is sanitised regularly’. Great!
People were seen with their face masks on and kept the required social distance.
Again, there was no road blocks in sight – except for a big police tent seen just before the north-bound toll plaza in Ipoh.
It seems, in general, the SOP under CMCO are being observed by the public at petrol stations and public areas. Felt safe traveling.
That’s all folks for cherita hari ini. Alhamdulillah syukur that everything went well. Very, very tired but happy! =)
Read here on how to apply for Dana Penulis PNM.
Semoga bermanfaat.
Get my book Elevate (RM40*) – drop me a line: hello@draisyah.com
*the price includes postage to anywhere reachable by PosLaju service in Malaysia. Stock limited, ask for a signed copy.
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