Lee holding one of Masudi’s children, accompanied by (from right) Renyam, Nurin and Dr Marianne.
MIRI: A brighter future awaits the family of six rescued from their temporary shelter by the storm drain near Tamu Muhibbah in the city centre on July 27.
Assistant Minister of Communication Datuk Lee Kim Shin sprang into action after being alerted through the social media to get the authorities to help them. The family is now sheltering at the Malaysian Red Crescent premises here. Dr Marrianne Dorshini Ponniah, Matron Renyam Renang and Welfare Department assistant director Nurin Chunggat were among those who visited them yesterday.
“Checks conducted found that they are all healthy, free from chronic and communicable diseases, while all the four children were given immunisations,” said Dr Marrianne.
Immediate relief assistance has also been given to the family consisting of Masudi Abong, 52, his wife Siti Balquisha Laudin, 30, and their four children, the youngest being 45 days old. The others are aged seven, five and two years. Lee said efforts were also being taken to assist Masudi, a former cook to find a suitable job, so he could support his family, while waiting for welfare assistance to be approved.
“We thank everyone involved in helping the family, including medical, welfare and education departments that enable the eldest child, Nurshahfira, to go to back to school,” Lee said.
Meanwhile, Lee rubbished allegation of discriminating another individual seeking shelter near the storm drain, Langkau @ Tukau Manja, for not providing him with accommodation.
“Langkau has categorically made known and even signed a declaration with the Welfare Department that he is self-reliant and receives help from family members.”
He said that MRC helped people based on humanitarian ground irrespective of their race, religion and culture. Lee had also directed the Welfare Department to follow up with the National Registration Department on the citizenship status of Langkau who allegedly lost his MyKad in 2009.
“If he is a Malaysian, get the NRD to have his MyKad replaced as soon as possible,” Lee said.
Langkau and Masudi are said to have been forced to live in such deplorable conditions since the past six months after being made jobless.