GEORGE TOWN – The act of giving and sharing during Christmas is evident in Penang over the past 48 hours, as the state government and members of the public came together to provide immediate aid for a family of five who have been living in their car.
After his family’s plight was made public, security guard S. Ganesh today received keys to a public housing (PPR) unit from state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Ganesh, 34, and his wife, M. Parameswary, 32, are relieved that their application for a PPR unit has been approved by the state government.
What is more pleasing is that their 8-month-old son, who has not lived inside a house since he was born, can now play in a home with a roof over his head. The couple have three children.
The family will temporarily stay at a Padang Tembak PPR unit until theirs has been repaired. The current unit is used for temporary housing during natural disasters.
This is the couple’s second offer of accommodation after Ustaz Ebit Lew stepped forward yesterday to spend time with the family and provide them with a rented house.
Ganesh said he is overjoyed now that his wife and children are not sleeping together in the car boot.
“We are deeply touched by everyone’s help,” he said when met at his temporary home.
It was reported that the couple were forced to feed their baby black coffee and warm water, while their other two children ate biscuits when the they ran out of food.
The family were left homeless when their house at Carnavon Street was destroyed in a fire on April 6.
Since then, they have been living in their car, visiting isolated public toilets in town to freshen up.
With only a measly RM1,200 monthly salary, Ganesh said most of it went to disposable diapers, petrol and car maintenance.
Jagdeep said the state only received the couple’s application for a PPR unit on Wednesday.
“When his house was burnt down in April, the state Welfare Department had offered him to stay at a disaster unit.
“However, I was told that he turned down that offer and only applied for a PPR unit two days ago.”
State Hindu Association president P. Murugiah was also overwhelmed with tears of joy, saying that the festive year-end spirit of giving and gratitude was evident here.
He said there are many who share a similar fate to Ganesh’s family due to the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that he hoped the plight of those suffering can gain more attention from the civil society and authorities. – The Vibes, December 26, 2020
