Abandoned by their children, destitute Kedah couple can barely pay for food

 

Kailarani Edward gets Siva Palani to taste some of her curry, a meal she will stretch out for nearly a week.

SUNGAI PETANI: With close to nothing left in their wallets, Siva Palani, 58, and his wife Kalairani Edward, 49, have been eating the same curry with rice for the past four days.

They face the recurring dilemma many people living on a meagre existence have: How do we pay the rent and afford even the barest of necessities?

“We need to pay RM250 for this month. If we cannot pay, we will have to leave,” Siva said, adding that they only moved in four days ago.

“Where are we going to go from here, in this condition?” asked Kalairani. As she spoke, her husband sobbed uncontrollably, pondering their plight.

Kalairani Edward weeps as her husband, Siva Palani, talks about the possibility of being evicted if they fail to pay their rent this month.

The couple live in Kampung Rusa, within the palm oil estates in Bukit Selambau, a hardcore poor area roughly 5km east of Sungai Petani in rural Kedah.

Siva used to work as a forklift driver before retiring seven years ago. These days, he does odd jobs to make what little money he can for their survival.

 

“Sometimes I make RM30, sometimes RM50. I did some work and I made RM45. I bought some things for the house, now there is no money left.”

Unable to afford a fresh meal every day, the couple said they would have to make what little food they have stretch for the entire week.

When FMT visited, they were having sardine curry with rice. They would have to settle on the same meal for the next six days.

Kalairani Edward says she is in the dark as to the whereabouts of her six children.

The couple’s six children left home a long time ago. Siva and Kalairani say that over the years they have on countless occasions pleaded for some assistance from their children, but without success.

“I gave birth to six children. None of them would give us food. Only my husband is taking care of me. We would call them and ask if they could give us some money to buy food, but they will not,” she said.

This is Kalairani Edward’s kitchen but her lack of mobility makes housekeeping extremely challenging.

Almost immobile due to issues with her knees, Kalairani is unable to work. At times, the pain is so unbearable she is barely able to do even simple daily household chores such as cooking and cleaning. The pain also keeps her up at night.

The closest clinic is about 30 minutes away, but even if she can get there, she would not be able to afford any treatment.

“You still need money to go to the hospital,” she said.

The roof leaks when it rains and there is no running water in their home.

Their run-down house is sparsely furnished. There is only one table, a few chairs, a table fan, and two mattresses on the floor in the living room, where they sleep. It also has only two appliances – a fridge and a rice cooker.

The roof leaks when it rains and there is no running water. According to the couple, other houses in the village have piped water, but not theirs.

Siva has rerouted the water supply from the main pipe outside into the house but it does not reach the toilet.

A gaping hole in the toilet is a hazard for the couple.

There is also a deep sinkhole inside the toilet. Due to Kalairani’s inability to walk and the lack of water, she cannot use the toilet inside the house.

Siva and Kailarani have received some aid, including Bantuan Tunai Rahmah of RM100, but it is not a monthly stipend, and is hardly enough to cover even the most basic needs.

The husband and wife sleep on two thin mattresses and old pillows.

Despite their plight, Kalairani insists she and her husband are not asking for handouts.

“All I want is a proper house, and a job for my husband. We do not want money. If Siva has a job, he will be able to put food on the table,” she said.

For those who wish to help Siva and Kalairani, drop us a WhatsApp message on FMT’s Helpline at 019-389-9839. - FMT