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Toiling through their golden years in abject poverty

KUALA LUMPUR — Their faces bear witness to a long, harsh life. Their dilapidated homes appear as frail as their bodies, as they continue to toil in abject poverty that few can believe still exists in Selangor, Malaysia’s wealthiest state.

The  Selangor Islamic Religious Council recently revealed that the number of families classified as “hardcore poor” has increased to 46,500 in 2016, from 44,393 the year before. Screencap: The Malaysian Insight/Dailymotion

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council recently revealed that the number of families classified as “hardcore poor” has increased to 46,500 in 2016, from 44,393 the year before. Screencap: The Malaysian Insight/Dailymotion

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KUALA LUMPUR — Their faces bear witness to a long, harsh life. Their dilapidated homes appear as frail as their bodies, as they continue to toil in abject poverty that few can believe still exists in Selangor, Malaysia’s wealthiest state.

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) recently revealed that the number of families classified as “hardcore poor” has increased to 46,500 in 2016, from 44,393 the year before.

According to the religious body, the main reason for the increase was the rising cost of living. The most vulnerable are the destitute and frail elderly, many of whom are located in squatters’ villages in Malaysia.

Some cannot seek help in the cities as they are unable to take transport due to chronic poor health.

Located less than 10km from Bandar Klang — the former capital of Selangor — is one such village in Jalan Tengku Badar, consisting of some 30 houses built on private land. Three families tell The Malaysian Insight how they fell through the cracks.

Mr Ismail Sipad, 81, and his wife Amnah Alan, 72, have lived for almost 20 years at the settlement, eking out a living by begging and collecting empty tin cans and metal goods for recycling.

The couple, who have three children, said they can barely make RM500 (S$160) a month.

“Now, my body is failing me. It’s hard to keep collecting,” said Madam Amnah.

When asked about their children, the couple only said they have two sons and a daughter, but were reluctant to say more.

“I don’t want to talk about my children, there’s no point,” said Mdm Amnah, but added that her daughter does give the couple RM150 a month to help out.

Mdm Amnah and her husband has had to look to charitable organisation Reach Out for food and other basic needs.

“We don’t eat much, but we will head to a spot under the bridge to get some food. Sometimes it’s burgers, sometimes it’s bread, biscuits. Thankfully, we can still survive,” she said.

Mr Ismail, who worked as an odd-job labourer 20 years ago, said help from charities and members of the public was greatly appreciated.

“Last year, our electricity bill for the house accumulated into the hundreds. I went out to ask for help, and thankfully, they helped. But now, just to travel to the city is hard. I had surgery on my legs because last year I fell off a bicycle,” he said.

The couple said they have asked for help from Selangor’s Zakat Foundation last year, but have yet to receive a response.

“We have gone there to ask for help. Filled forms, and came back. They said to wait for their call, but till now, there has not been any call,” said Mdm Amnah.

STUCK IN A RUT

Mr Ismail and Mdm Amnah’s neighbour, Mdm Esah Mohd Amin, has been living alone with a few stray cats for company after her only child died last month.

“We live alone here. My son has passed away. We’re not afraid, there’s nothing to be afraid of since we’ve been living here for so long,” Mdm Esah, 71, said at her home that barely provides shelter from the heat and cold.

She said she also relies on Reach Out and neighbours to survive.

Another resident in the village is 69-year-old Muthayee Letchuman, who had an accident three months ago which left her with a broken arm. She is now depending on her daughter’s pay to make ends meet.

Madam Muthayee used to be a cleaner at a temple nearby, but she now survives on the RM500 her daughter brings home as a dishwasher and RM350 she gets from the welfare department.

“My husband died 20 years ago. I’m lucky my children also help out,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

She said her poor health had stopped her from travelling to the city to receive food donations by Reach Out.

“I don’t collect the food any more. I’m always in pain. I eat a little on my own. Kind-hearted people give me rice, biscuits.”

Mdm Muthayee said despite her dire situation, she was intent on surviving and encouraged her daughter to work hard while she was still able.

“Our lives are hard, but we still want to work to make a living,” she said. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT

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