KUCHING: Help is underway to find a more conducive living space for a 52-year-old single mother who is physically unwell.
Norlela Bujang, who has diabetes and swellings on her legs, is unable to move around and slowly losing her vision. She now had to depend on her only daughter, who is only nine years old.
Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the Social Welfare Department (JKM) is locating a much more suitable place for the mother who is currently renting the second floor of a shop lot.
“Efforts have been made by our officer from JKM to get a place at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) flat but there is no vacancy at the moment. However, HDC said it will help to look for an available place,” she told a press conference at Baitul Makmur II Building here today.
Fatimah said it would be more appropriate if the living place was near the hospital so that it would be easier for Norlela to receive treatment.
“Another area of concern is that the child, due to her love and concern for her mother, does not want to go to school as she is worried about leaving her mother alone.
“For me, this is serious as the child needs to receive an education. Therefore, we will discuss with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the school on how we can assist the child,” she said.
Fatimah said that the attachment between the mother and child is very strong. The child cannot be placed at welfare homes as she does not want to be separated from her mother.
“So, JKM is making efforts to get a better place for Norlela and her daughter near the hospital and the child’s school and to get her daughter to go school,” she said.
Fatimah added that currently, Norlela’s rent cost her RM400 monthly and that she received financial assistance of RM350 per month from Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak.
“Norlela also received financial assistance from JKM, and I have requested for the assistance to be increased,” she said.
