Siti Madinah Anas
Siti Rasam Jawa
LAHAD DATU: Just three weeks back, Siti Madinah Anas had everything she wanted.
“We may not be rich, but whatever we earned, it was enough to put food on our table.
“My husband is a small-time carpenter, and besides growing some palm oil on our five-acres land in Kampung Tanjung Labian, he also goes out fishing, rear cattles and chicken.
“So although we earn about RM800 monthly, food source was never a problem,” she said.
But all those changed in split seconds. They lost everything – home, livelihood, and their comfort.
They were robbed off the luxury on March 5 when Filipino armed men were spotted in the village. They left hastily after getting the advise from the Malaysian security forces.
“We heard our village was bombed to rid the armed men. Some told us that few houses were destroyed … I am not sure the fate of my home, but I hope it is still there, waiting for our return,” she said.
The on-going conflict has also forced her to be the breadwinner of the family, taking over from her husband who, she hopes, is only temporarily ‘out of work’.
“For now, my husband has to stay home and look after the children, while I have to work and hopefully, our allowances as Rela members would be able to cover the expenses a bit.
“But while I am here, wearing this uniform, my thoughts are with my family at home” said the 33-year-old, who fled her home along with husband and their three children, aged between seven and 11.
They were initially putting up at the Fajar Harapan evacuation centre, but moved out to stay with relatives when it became too crowded.
At one time, the number of evacuess at the evacuation centre went up to over 1,000 people. Many have left since to stay with relatives, and today the number is reduced to 230 people.
“My children became uncomfortable staying in the evacuation centre, so my husband and I decided to ‘checkout’. We are lucky because the village head told us that although we do not sleep at the hall, we could still get our food supplies from here (at the evacuation centre),” she said.
She is grateful with the assistance given by the government, adding: “I used to get vitamins for my children from the pharmacy, but for now, they have to settle with that given by the hospital. They did complain as it is not the same as the ones I used to give them, but I told them that they should be thankful with what we have right now.”
Meanwhile, Siti Rasam Jawa has decided to stay in the hall, to be close with her family members.
Apart from looking after her aged mother-in-law, she is also tasked to be a cook at the evacuation centre.
“We have a timetable, where we take turns to cook,” said the 53-year-old, spotted with a red apron covering the front part of her baju kurung.
She said their menu is pretty much the same everyday.
“We either have fried noodles or biscuits foe breakfast, and canned food with vegetables for lunch and dinner.
“I do not see this as a burden, but rather as a responsibility … here, since we come from different villages, we try to avoid conflicts. This cooperation we have now, thankfully, brings us closer, and we learn to respect one another,” said the housewife from Kampung Lok Buaian.