More welfare aid for disabled couple living in destitution

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The report on the couple, published on Saturday.

The report on the couple, published on Saturday.

MIRI: Minster of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah has instructed the Welfare Department to approve with immediate effect additional bedridden disability allowance for a disabled couple in Kampung Pasir here.

This action was taken in response to The Borneo Post’s story on Saturday, highlighting the plight of disabled Rose Salau Tugau, 55, who was reduced to crawling around the house to care for her husband, Ajang Janea, 59, who is not only paralysed but also suffering from the terminal stages of brain cancer.

“The wife will get RM250 monthly assistance while her husband RM200 to RM300 monthly assistance effective this month,” she told thesundaypost here.

Fatimah said volunteers were helping this stricken couple at their house in Kampung Pasir.

Thanking the English daily for highlighting their plight, the minister hoped Miri District’s Office would get them a house under the Housing for Hardcore Poor (PPRT) scheme either by this year or the next.

There are currently 31,000 persons with disability (OKUs) registered with the ministry — this figure covers those with physical, sight, hearing and intellectual disabilities.

The story on the couple appeared on Saturday’s The Borneo Post, and was also published on sister newspapers Utusan Borneo and See Hua Daily News.

It touched the hearts of many in the state, with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the public calling up to enquire about the couple and possible means to assist them.

On the publication, Rose is seen crawling from the kitchen to the dimly-lit living room.

Her husband is in the living room, lying on his back. She has to look after him as he is dying from brain cancer.

Rose herself is unable to walk upright due to back pain caused by spinal injuries. They are alone, helpless and in despair.

Their only adopted son, who is married and working in Peninsular Malaysia, refuses to answer their calls, leaving them alone to face their hardship. They struggle to pass each day in their dilapidated house at Lorong 4, Kampung Pasir in Lutong, with Rose scrapping by on the meagre RM200 monthly allowance.

Their next-of-kin, who are poor farmers, live far away in Ulu Baram.

Rose did not complain but Miri City Caring Society (MCCS) stepped in when their case was brought to the attention of an exco member Lilyian Simon, who found them in dire straits. Together with treasurer Charles Soo and secretary Philip Kiew, the team visited the couple at their rickety wooden house, following an earlier visit on Ajang, led by chairman Pemanca Wilson Siang Lim prior to his (Ajang’s) release from Miri Hospital.

Rose, who is also suffering from a host of ailments including chronic respiratory tract disease, said it had been an uphill struggle for her to keep hospital’s appointments — there were times when she simply gave up.

Each trip by private taxi to send and fetch her from hospital costs RM50, and she has to visit the specialist clinic twice a month. Rose is grateful that there is a Malay friend in the hospital who takes pity on her.

MCCS relayed her call to the government to consider extending more financial assistance to families facing extenuating circumstances on humanitarian grounds, such as in this case.