GEORGE TOWN – Welfare authorities need to buck up when dealing with people who have been made impoverished by the ongoing pandemic, said the Penang Hindu Association.
Its chairman P. Murugiah said since last year, there has been a 10-fold increase in poverty cases.
While this puts a strain on the social welfare services, the agencies have to be more sensitive to the current situations.
“They cannot operate like normal. They must adapt to the new normal.
“The pandemic has caused communities a lot of stress, especially those who are struggling to make ends meet, not to mention the health risks they have to face.”
He cited the example of S. Paner Selvam and his family. They were living in a RM300 a month rented room with his unemployed wife and three children aged four, two years and nine months.
When the area he lived in was under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO), he was unable to go to work and had to forego his salary as a security guard at the Penang General Hospital.
Although he was later given a low-cost unit to move into, he faced another roadblock as the previous tenant did not settle outstanding water arrears amounting RM426.66.
As standard practice, the arrears owed to Penang Water Authority (PBAPP) have to be settled before the unit is made available.
Murugiah said although the guideline was a standard practice, PBAPP needs to be sensitive and flexible to accommodate those who have fallen on hard times.
PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa has since instructed the water authority to waive the charges on humanitarian grounds.
PBAPP has also re-connected the water supply at the unit in Rifle Range, which is one of Penang’s oldest community housing schemes. – The Vibes, January 2, 2021
