GEORGE TOWN – A family of three now living on the upper floor of a store in Jalan Sempadan 2, Ayer Itam, here are seeking help to rebuild their gutted home before Hari Raya Aidilfitri next month.
Effandy Abdul Rahim, a 32-year-old heart patient, his wife Salbilla Suriyadi, 41, and their 2-year-old daughter Nuur Zulaleca saw their house go up in flames on April 6, just a week before Ramadan began.
Effandy, who is receiving treatment at Penang Hospital, has been unemployed for about a year, but earns around RM1,000 a month selling fruits and vegetables picked in nearby areas.
With their current living arrangement, the family need to climb up a ladder to get to their “bedroom”.
“We are scared to leave the baby alone upstairs, as we have often seen cobras in the area. Sightings became more frequent after the fire,” said Effandy.
“The steel ladder is very steep. It’s dangerous for my wife to carry our daughter up and down the ladder.”
He issued a plea to government agencies and charitable organisations to aid his family.
Effandy added that their razed home sits on land that has belonged to his side of the family for five generations.
He thanked Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng, Penang exco Dr Norlela Ariffin and Penang Hindu Association (PHA) president P. Murugiah, who handed over assistance during a visit.
“My immediate wish and need is water. Currently, we have to fetch water from a neighbour’s house for our daily use.
“I don’t know why the water authority cut supply to our house.
“My humble request is for the water authority to provide us with supply, so that we don’t need to depend on our neighbour.”
Effandy’s sister, Nur Bayyanah Abdul Rahim, 34, also called on the authorities to help rebuild her sickly brother’s destroyed home.
Murugiah said PHA has handed over to the family food items and a cheque for RM1,000 as immediate assistance.
He urged charitable groups to assist in rebuilding Effandy’s house before Raya. – The Vibes, April 20, 2021
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