An elderly woman and her husband who spent Ramadan and Hari Raya on the streets of Kuala Lumpur were threatened and verbally abused by two officers from the Social Welfare Department (JKM). They had responded to a MalaysiaNow report on their misfortune.
Zainab and her husband were forced into a life of homelessness after being kicked out by their own son from his house in Kulim, Kedah. The story of the woman, whose real name is Zaleha Haron, and her husband, who suffers from depression, went viral, with calls and emails from the public asking for more details in order to raise funds for the couple.
Source: https://www.dagangnews.com
The overwhelming public sympathy was in stark contrast with the attitude of the JKM officers, who came to Zaleha on the third day of Hari Raya after the authorities were alerted of her plight. But instead of helping the couple, the officers threatened them and told them to pack their belongings and leave Kuala Lumpur. They were taken by car to the Integrated Transport Terminal (TBS) in Bandar Tasik Selatan and told to board a bus to Muar, Johor – a place where they had once lived but where they no longer have any family ties.
Zaleha told the officers that they had no one in Muar, which they had left a long time ago. Neither are they open to returning to their son, who threw them out of his home in November 2023. Zaleha also told the officers that she had a job as a dishwasher at a nearby restaurant in the capital city, but her explanation fell on deaf ears.
Zaleha had in fact applied for JKM’s assistance in renting a room. However, she was told to submit water and electricity bills – documents which, living on the streets, she did not have.
Despite Zaleha's pleas, she and her husband were taken to TBS along with their meagre belongings. During the journey, her mobile phone was confiscated by the officers who monitored all incoming and outgoing calls. However, Zaleha had made contact with an acquaintance during the officers' initial confrontation. Her friend, together with her husband, rushed to TBS where they were able to intercept the group.
There, an argument ensued with the officers who refused to let Zaleha go. Eventually, she and her husband were taken to a beat base at the bus terminal where they were detained. It was not until her friend questioned the officers for confiscating Zaleha's phone that it was returned. Zaleha said the officers warned her not to tell anyone about the incident, and threatened to revoke her husband's permanent resident status. For now, Zaleha's friend has arranged for her and her husband to stay at a flat.
This is not a new phenomenon in Malaysia. It also happens in the Chinese or Indian communities. I know of a case of an elderly couple abandoned in a hotel. They were taken to the hotel by the son. Then they were moved to a welfare home after the hotel stay was over and son was not to be found. The husband was too traumatised to speak. Then there was an Indian couple abandoned at a bus stop. Something akin to getting rid of your unwanted cat or dog!
How society has changed? If you are over 60, please retain whatever cash and a home in your old age. Children may change. You need to remain independent. The problem starts when all your savings has been used to educate the children. In turn, you expect them to pay or take care of you. If they give you RM100 per month, how do you survive? Beg, borrow or steal? A modest sum computed by EPF is about RM2,000 per month per person for 10 years. That works out to RM240,000. Many don’t have it! And what more if you live to be 70!
I don’t have solutions but love of family and God will see you through (hopefully!) In the case of Zaleha and her husband, it is shameful on our part that they are treated in this manner and shameless on the government officers who just want to get rid of a problem!
Reference:
Welfare officers threaten elderly couple forced to spend Raya on KL streets, MalaysiaNow, 16 April 2024
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