At tough times like these, the positive actions of a few brought changes for the better and hope to a family struggling to survive.
- Homeless living under a flyover
- Home will now be a low-rental flat
- Malaysian Good Samaritans act swiftly to lend assistance
Just hours after The Star highlighted the plight of Jeffry Husin and his family staying under a flyover in Pandan Perdana near Cheras, the family can now look forward to living in a proper home with a low monthly rental of RM124.
Jeffry, his wife and their four children aged between nine months and eight years old had been evicted from their low-cost flat after failing to pay the monthly rental of RM500 for two months. The flat had been their home for 11 years. The family had been staying under a flyover with just a tent, stove and some basic personal items for the past several weeks.
A Sabahan, Jeffry had quit his job as a security guard a year ago after an old injury on his spine resulting from a fall in 2006 became painful. For the past year, he had been doing odd jobs such as selling recycled items, earning about RM10-RM20 a day.
When he was falling behind in his rental, he claimed that the landlord went to his house almost daily, shouting at them and calling them names. He added that they lived in shame as the flyover was near their former housing area.
The family cooked and had their meals under the flyover, but the children slept at his sister’s house at night. Jeffry said that his youngest child developed a fever after they started squatting under the flyover.
Since their plight was highlighted, various agencies and Good Samaritans have helped the family in the form of cash and goods, and even a job offer for Jeffry.
Pandan MCA chairman Datuk Leong Kok Wee visited the family and also donated money and essential items to them.
Best of all, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has offered the family a People Housing Project unit in Desa Tun Razak for a monthly rental of RM124.
Leong and Umno Youth information chief Jamawi Jaafar presented DBKL’s offer letter to Jeffry, who was moved to tears by the swift action of the authorities and those who had come forward to assist him.
For Jeffry, there is a brighter Ramadan and future ahead now, thanks to Malaysians who have time and again come together to help one another – regardless of colour or creed – in times of need.
And these are the heart-warming gestures most Malaysians want – not acts of violence, deception and harassment – all of which have made the news this past week.