JOHOR BAHRU: It is an observable fact that for Hari Raya Muslims prefer meat dish as their preferred culinary of choice, specifically beef, but these days when fish is expensive because of the rainy weather, the poor are bereft of choice.

The inclement weather has deterred fishermen from venturing out into the sea, thus making their catch slender and costly.

As such it was a boon to 12 single mothers and needy families residing with their families in the two-room low-cost Sri Stulang flats, here, that this Aidilfitri, a benefactor has come to their aid.

With two-weeks before the auspicious day, Dr Gary Ko, a medical doctor stranded in the Johor capital two-years ago, donated 7kg of ikan kembong, ikan bawal, selar kuning, prawns and squids to each to the needy residing in the low-cost flats.

Coming from a family of seafood wholesalers, he doled out the catch that his company gathered every day to poor residents of low-cost flats at Sri Stulang here.

“My family runs a fish wholesale business and so I felt, seeing that the poor have no money to buy seafood, we decided to distribute 80 to 150 kilos of fish everyday to different sets of poor people in the low cost housing and other depressed areas in the city and its periphery,” he explained.

The aid went some way in bringing relief to the poor, where vegetables, rice and soy sauce, was their only food.

This year again the 50-year-old Johor Baru-born doctor, who has a private practice in Bangkok, was moved by the struggles of poor Muslims during the current fasting month.

“Fish these days is not cheap because of the rainy season when fishermen don’t want to go into deep waters for their catch,” said Dr Ko.

“The catch they bring in from the shallower waters is not plentiful and is higher priced,” he said.

“How can the poor afford fish in this type of situation?” asked Dr Ko.

He said Muslims fasting in Ramadan prompted him to provide fish to add to their diet.

“What I give them is not from the rivers but from the sea. A serving of bawal, tinggeri and siakap one day a week should go some way in providing variety to their intake,” said Dr Ko.

“Who knows, some of the recipients will stretch the parcels for their meals over a few days,” Dr Ko said.

Dr Ko studied medicine at Ramkamhaeng University in Bangkok and set up private practice in the Thai capital after graduation.

He returns annually to Johor Bahru for the Lunar New Year celebrations but two years ago was unable to go back because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Born and raised in the Johor state capital, the Dr Ko studied medicine at the Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok. Upon graduation, he studied the Thai language and sat for his medical course before interning and setting up a private practice with one of his friends in the Kingdom.

Since he was grounded, he spends his time managing the family’s seafood business.

It has seen him donating from 80 to 150kg a day of fish to poor families residing in low cost flats in places like Sri Stulang, Plentong and elsewhere in the state capital and its fringes.

Dr Ko’s generosity elicited words of gratitude from a single mother Kamsiah Mostari, 64, who has been living in the Sri Stulang flat for a long time.

“I’m grateful to Dr Ko for helping us during this time of Ramadan,” said Kamsiah.

“Sometimes when I go to the market I find the price of fish is very high and I do not buy. I just get the vegetables and other stuff,” she said.

Another grateful recipient was Rohayah Talo, 66, who said she seldom buys fish due to its high cost.

“I plan to cook the fish which was given by Dr. Ko for my grandchildren aged between six and twelve.

Teary-eyed Fatimah Midon, 80, said she was heartened there was one “good man who knows our plight and has come with a bountiful gift for us.”

“As soon as I get home I will prepare fish for the buka puasa tonite,” she said.

“As a doctor I am trained to help those who are suffering and as a human being I can’t help but see the suffering of the poor,” he said.

Each day the distribution to the poor and needy is undertaken by an non-governmental organisation.

The effect of the donation on its recipients at the Sri Stulang flats yesterday was plain to see.