In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Malaysian government implemented a movement control order on the public commencing on the 18th of March 2020. The public were instructed to observe strict social distancing measures by returning to and staying in their homes, save for certain essential activities. Consequently, most residents of Taylor's Hostel who were able to go home, did so, for the safety of themselves and their families. Most of them did not return to Taylor's Hostel for the duration of the lockdown which will continue at least until the 9th of June 2020. For this time, they were completely unable to access the facilities provided by the hostel under the rental fee.

We understand that the financial standing of Taylor's Hostel has been heavily impacted by the lockdown. Its Management has unerringly complied and upheld the SOPs recommended by the government including temperature checks, curfew enforcement and thorough sanitation; as well as its normal operations of security and maintenance; and many new, highly beneficial initiatives such as the distribution of food and the establishment of reliable online communication channels for residents.

We humbly recognise that there must be substantial costs ensuing from all these operations, and that THM is doing its utmost to find alternative forms of value to give back to residents who have been at home for the duration of the lockdown. The solutions of a. deferment of tenancy and b. FOC extension of tenancy are indeed commendable options but may not satisfy the needs of all tenants, especially those who have/will complete their studies at Taylor's by the end of June 2020. These residents especially will undeniably consider rebates/refunds to be the most attractive outcome. Even relatively small rebates would be welcome, and could arguably be derived from the diminished use of electricity and water at Taylor's Hostel due to the absence of many residents.

This petition is a representation of residents' concerns. It is a plea to Taylor's Hostel Management to continue their efforts to find a viable mechanism to provide rental rebates to disgruntled residents. We know money is currently needed to keep the hostel's many efficient operations stable. However, it is our hope that plans will be made for the future, to give at least a 20-30% rebate on the total rental to each resident who is qualified to receive it, for a duration which may be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the period of absence. We are willing to wait, and put our trust in THM to justly return value to all residents in future.