Penang couple living in car for 8 months receives PPR unit

 

The Penang government has provided a People's Housing Project (PPR) unit and monthly financial assistance to an Indian couple with three children, whose plight went viral after eight months of living in a car.

State Environment and Welfare exco Phee Boon Poh said the government had previously reached out to the family in April when a fire razed their home at Lebuh Carnavon.

"A temporary shelter at the Caring Community Complex was offered by the Penang Welfare Department and Penang Land and District Office.

"It was however understood that the move was unsuccessful as the family had intended to stay with relatives at Air Itam on the same night," Phee said.

"Their family did not engage with the state government since then until the news about them went viral," he added.

However, the government took action to aid the family in need and the couple was given a key to their PPR unit yesterday, which Phee said only took a day for them to receive. 

Security guard S Ganesh, 34, and his family's predicament recently made headlines and attracted attention from preacher Ebit Lew, among others.

Ganesh's wife, 32-year-old Parameswari, spent her days taking care of their three children, Girthikanesh, 8, Devi Shri, 6, and eight-month-old Kirthana, born two weeks after the fire.

According to reports, Ganesh said he was unable to rent a home with his RM1,200 salary due to the deposit required. 

The family was eventually forced to live in their 30-year-old Proton Saga Aeroback, cooking by the road on a camp stove, and made use of the public toilets for their daily needs.

Contrary to Phee's statement, Ganesh reportedly said he had applied for a PPR unit to no avail from the state.

Lew, who is known for his quick response to those in need, had yesterday met with the family and rented them a three-bedroom house.

"I will pay rent for a month while they wait for a PPR unit. They have applied twice since their house was burnt down.

"But if they want to continue living there, I will also happily pay for their rent," he said in a Facebook post.

In a separate post last night, Lew said three of his crew - part of the production team for his show on a private broadcaster - had met with an accident while on the way back from Penang to Kuala Lumpur.

He said the incident occurred after the Jalan Duta toll exit when their Toyota Estima swerved to avoid another car that attempted to make an illegal U-turn.  - Mkini