Aid pouring in for flat dwellers

Several people have come forward to help the residents of PPR flats in Kota Damansara after their plight was highlighted recently.

PETALING JAYA: Aid in the form of cash, groceries and medical treatment are pouring in for the poor residents of PPR flats in Kota Damansara after their plight was highlighted recently.

A resident, R. Malathi, said after the FMT highlighted their plight, readers had come forward to help the flat dwellers.

“Some of our children have also started schooling again,” she said.

Malath said their plight had been hightlighted by the media before but did not receive any response.

“This is the first time we are receiving aid. On behalf of the PPR Kota Damansara residents, I wish to thank FMT readers for looking into our needs.

Recently, FMT highlighted that some of the residents had only one meal a day and their children even stopped schooling due to poverty.

Devi Arumugam said she was happy that her son could now attend school without having to worry about the bus fare as it was taken care by someone who came forward to help after seeing the article in FMT.

“My husband was taken hospital to have his knee treated and the groceries given to us can last more than six months,” said the housewife.

Devi said a corporation had come forward to send basic furniture to their homes, including mattresses and cabinets.

Hamisah Osman said FMT readers were coming daily to help the residents.

“When my own relatives and friends have turned me down, I am glad there are kind people who have come forward to help us,” said Hamisah who was in tears.

Hamisah said there were groups coming forward to sponsor her taxi fare to the hospital.

“I can now celebrate Hari Raya with my son with the groceries provided by the donors,” said the mother of a 15-year-old son.

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society is organising a charity dinner on Aug 27 where they had invited the residents.

The society also gave money for education, groceries and cash to about 200 residents.

Its deputy national chairman, Hisham Harun Hashim, said Ramadan was a good month to look into the plight of the poor.

“During this fasting month, we focus on charity and welfare programmes for the poor,” said Hisham.

Berjaya Clubs also came forward to help and its operations manager, Steven Seo, said it was part of their corporate social responsibility programme.

“We decided to donate mattresses and basic furniture to Devi and Hamisha’s family. We are also looking at a monthly allocation for the residents,” Seo added.