By HUMAIRA MUAMMAR
BINTULU: An elderly woman is agonising over the dilapidated state of her 40-year-old house at Kampung Jepak Hulu here.
Rokaiyah Ramlee, 62, who lives alone, believes that the house which was built by her parents long ago is likely to collapse at any time.
Unfortunately, she has to take shelter in it as she is too helpless to do anything about it.
“The walls of the house are rotten. I have no money to repair them. I have no choice but to stay in the house even though I know it is going to collapse,” she said today.
“I also feel sad when the house gets drenched every time it rains because the roof is leaking everywhere.”
To provide for her daily necessities, Rokaiyah collects recyclable waste and pieces of metal and drink cans for sale to recyclers.
“I’m not ashamed to tell people about my work. At least I don’t steal or take what belong to others. What is important is to do what is lawful and can take care of my daily needs,” she said.
Besides collecting discarded pieces of iron and tin, she is also willing to trek through the forest to collect wood for cooking.
“Sometimes, I catch fish in the nearby river too,” she said.
She hoped that there are kind individuals and leaders who are willing to help repair her old house.
“I do not ask much … enough if they can repair the house,” she said.
