BUKIT MERTAJAM – A married couple in their mid-20s from Kelantan made their way to Penang in hopes of better job opportunities, but found themselves homeless and sleeping on a sidewalk here.
They were spotted spending nights on the streets of Taman Bidara, and with help from some residents, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim and his team found them.
Their plans to earn a living had gone awry as opportunities dried up in the recent movement control order.
The husband, only known as Shah, used to be a rubber tapper and an odd job worker in his village. Now, the couple is surviving by collecting boxes and recyclable items at landfills to sell.
After meeting with the couple yesterday, Sim found them a temporary shelter.
“Shah and Siti are not lazy, unlike what is being suggested by some commenters. They are out collecting cardboard boxes from landfills to sell. If they are lucky, they get RM10 to RM20 for some food,” he said in a Facebook post.
“Siti also has a container, which I initially thought was a gas tank, that she uses to put aside some money to enable them to rent a place in the future.”
In an effort to help the couple stay indoors during the two-week lockdown starting next Tuesday, Sim took them shopping for essential items.
He also found some job opportunities for Shah and will be discussing with the couple their next move.
“Shah and Siti did not have a mobile phone, and were unable to call their families back home. Initially they wanted to just share a phone between them, but I felt it would be difficult for Siti if Shah is out at work. So I helped to furnish them with a phone each.”
Sim said that he bought them new clothes that Shah would need at work, with headscarves for Siti.
To help them get on their feet, he found a home for them with rent paid for until Shah can afford it himself.
He also reached out to Ustaz Ahmad Fahmi, a member of the Penang Islamic Council, to help provide some counselling to the couple at their new home.
“I presented Shah with a copy of the Al-Quran so he can use it as a guide for life.”
As for the two cats seen with the couple, they were brought to the house as well.
Sim is currently appealing for funds to carry out more charitable programmes. Those interested can donate to the Bukit Mertajam parliamentary service office’s Maybank account (557090527361). – The Vibes, May 30, 2021
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