Lo (left) presents the contribution to Hipni and wife (centre and second right) in the presence of UPP members. The couple are carrying their disabled children – the 18-year-old carried by Hipni and 10-year-old by his wife.
KUCHING: The plight of a couple with two disabled (OKU) children out of five caught the attention of United People’s Party (UPP).
Hipni Bahdi, 41, and his wife Nor Datul Alizah, 40, raised their disabled children Nurul Syafiqa, 18, and Nur Zulfiqa, 10, in a dilapidated house in Kampung Tabuan Hilir.
UPP secretary-general George Lo delivered food items, beverages and other basic necessities to the family at their house here yesterday.
“UPP will continue to assist and we hope other people can also contribute to this needy family.”
He said the donation was a small contribution from the party which he hoped would ease their financial burden.
When asked if UPP would help the family apply for welfare assistance, Lo replied that he had informed the community leader in the area to assist in whatever way possible, and support their application for aid from relevant agencies.
Hipni who is a self-employed worker with an uncertain income said three of his four children were categorised as OKU and one child Mohd Fikral Izani passed away in 2010 at the age of six after suffering from high fever.
His wife has been nursing both their disabled children full-time.
Their eldest offspring Nor Aslina, 20, is the only one working and earning a minimal wage to support the family.
According to him, both his disabled children are on monthly OKU aid of RM300 from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to purchase milk powder and diapers.
Hipni who is a recycler collects metals and other recyclable items but the income is not enough to feed his family as it does not exceed RM1,500 in three months.
He has hopes to live in a better house for the sake of his children as their present dwelling is falling apart.
“I have sent numerous applications for e-Kasih assistance but no response was received until today. Frustrated, my wife and I have given up on getting such assistance,” he confided.