Enriching lives

I spent some time last evening visiting some homes in USJ. Joining me were some caring residents and Mr Yeong, the president of the Kelab Warga Emas in this area. I met a man who’s been bedridden for more than 1o years now after an accident. His wife has been looking after him and she works too. He is still in good spirit despite his condition and was able to communicate with me. I know how taxing it is emotionally on a family when a family member is bedridden. My office is now working on assistance from Jabatan Kebajikan for them.

The last home I visited shocked me. Both parents are odd job workers and they have 7 children. When they’re at work, their younger kids are left to be attended to by their older children. The youngest is only slightly more than a year old. When I saw the youngest child drinking from a jar, I asked them what he was drinking and they told me that he’s drinking water only. I was also told that they have stopped drinking milk for some time because they cannot afford it. Neighbours told me that they have seen the kids drinking from the bathroom before. One child has skin illness while another had a cut on his ear while playing. They only eat porridge at night. Neighbours of different races often helped this family, sometimes by purchasing cooking gas for them. When my assistants heard this, they rushed down to the mini market and quickly bought some bread and ice-cream for the kids. You should have seen the joy on their faces when they ate the ice-cream! My assistant said this to me before we left that place “I know we’ve had tough times serving people but when I see conditions like this one, I am glad I have the privilege of helping the poor“.

We are making urgent arrangement to help this family. Different groups of residents have offered assistance. It is sufficient for now. With the price increase in almost everything, life can only be tougher for these poor families. I am highlighting this to create more awareness that poverty exists in our neighbourhood. I know some may argue that there will always be the poor around but I want to minimise that in my term as a state assemblyman. There are residents who cannot see anything beyond their own backyard. I am glad that there are still many caring Malaysians around. When I shared this with my family during our family dinner last night, my dad said “you have chosen this path to serve the country” and I know I’m blessed with this position to enrich poor lives and not my own. I am of the opinion that politicians and other people of great influence should use their position only to enrich the less fortunate ones and not the pockets of some. Some may think that I am an idealist and live in a naive world of my own. I am not! I stand firm that this is how it ought to be.

The next time you enjoy a cup of ice-cream, give thanks because to some, it is a luxury.