How a Penang MP’s personal pledge changes lives

GEORGE TOWN – The altruistic adventures of Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim has attracted a lot of attention on social media, with photos of him helping people get their life back together picking up plenty of shares.

In just 24 hours, a post – attached with photos and a video – on how he helped someone with misfortune went viral after it was shared more than 11,000 times at the time of writing.

A lot of praise in the form of comments from netizens followed, of course, but also a lot of questions.

Most encouraged Sim to keep up the good work, while others wondered if the act is a popularity gimmick.

But the parliamentarian said he is only fulfilling the promise he made to himself when he was voted in as MP.

“When I was elected as MP, I made a promise to always be ready to help my constituents like they are my own family,” he said in an interview with The Vibes.

“This underlies our service policy. It hurts me to see them suffering.

“Everyone’s problem is unique. I may not be able to solve every problem, but I will do my very best to ensure at least they are cared for.”

Sim recalled a recent case, which also happens to be one of his most-publicised ones, involving Puan Ros – a woman with 10 children who was evicted from her rented house earlier this month.

When he met her, Sim had to calm the 37-year-old, whose name is Rosliza Hassan, down as she was crying and traumatised by the incident.

The mother was worried about how she was going to find a new home and provide for her children, as the youngest is only 3 years old.

Another notable case is that of a homeless man known as Uncle Kanda.

Sim, through a young lawyer, found out about the plight of an old man who sleeps in a market in his constituency when night falls.

When Sim and his team finally located him, Uncle Kanda was already asleep on a damp and foul-smelling mattress.

The parliamentarian said his first instinct was to get the older man a proper bed on which to sleep.

“Those who say that there will always be poor people around, and there is no use in helping them, should see the faces of Puan Ros and Uncle Kanda when they were relieved of their problems.

“Their smiles emanated joy, and that is priceless to me.

“I don’t think we should see ourselves as superman or a saviour of the world, but all of us can be part of the solution to society’s problems.

“I recently read somewhere a quote that states: We cannot help everyone, but everyone can help someone. I think that is very meaningful.”

Sim and his assistant also played an instrumental role in trying to help Indonesian maid Adelina Lisao, 21, who was allegedly abused by her employers at a home in Bukit Mertajam in February 2018.

Adelina, from East Nusa Tenggara, passed away just a day after she was rescued.

Asked if a policy to combat poverty should be put in place, Sim said he hopes that there will be a systemic solution to the issues faced by the underprivileged.

“As a lawmaker, my goal is for a longer term, and that is why I take an active part in policymaking, parliamentary debates and so on.

“Once, in Parliament, I proposed making housing rights a constitutional right with amendments to the federal constitution, National Land Code, National Housing Policy, et cetera. We also worked out several state-level solutions on this matter.”

Act fast to help those in need

Sim explained that handouts are not enough, as dignified aid must also be given.

Hence, he said, his team has organised programmes such as skill retraining, providing laptops and tablets to students from low-income families and jobs for homemakers, among others.

“We cannot deny that when it comes to daily pressing problems, such as (the cases of) Puan Ros and Uncle Kanda, we need to act fast.

“Their problems are immediate and real, there is no time for committee meetings and presenting proposals. We have to act there and then.”

The number of calls Sim has received on his personal mobile phone has increased after both cases become popular search topics on social media.

As calls, emails, WhatsApp texts and social media messages stream from outside his constituency to him, Sim said he will help as many people as possible – including the Malaysian students stranded outside the country seeking his assistance.

“Sometimes, we help by channelling them to the relevant parties in their areas.

“This is nothing new, as my team has been on aid missions to other states, too. We sent mattresses to assist flood victims in Pahang earlier this year.

“Last week, my team delivered aid to a couple of families in Kelantan who had texted me for help. I strongly believe helping people should not be confined by electoral borders.”

Despite facing funding restrictions, Sim said it will not hinder the vision to fulfil his promise.

As he does not receive federal funding to help the unfortunate, the parliamentarian instead relies on his own money or public donations. – The Vibes, April 12, 2021