KUCHING: Two hundred and fifty underprivileged families in Sri Aman were among the recipients of the Sentuhan Kasih programme organised by Yayasan Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).
Yayasan Petronas, in a statement on Monday (May 24), stated that the festive programme was held in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.
Under the programme, Petronas, in collaboration with Social Welfare Department, distributed food essentials including rice, cooking oil, sugar, salt, eggs, flour, condensed milk, sardines, cream crackers, glutinous rice, face masks and hygiene kits to the families in Sri Aman.
“Sentuhan Kasih is a yearly programme that coincides with key festive seasons. It aims to spread joy and improve the quality of life for the underprivileged community.
“The programme is part of Yayasan Petronas’ community well-being and development focus area. It is also in line with Petronas Sustainability Agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” said Petronas.
Among the recipients of the programme was Shamsudin Ibrahim, 37, who lost his right leg following an accident while on maintenance duty in Betong during the fasting month of 2010.
The former technician with a local utility company said he was traumatised after the incident.
He did not want to leave his house and was afraid of turning on the light switches.
“I was carrying out electrical maintenance work near overhead power lines when a bolt of electricity struck me. I had no idea where the electricity came from.
“I happened to be standing near a puddle of water and a utility pole. When the electricity entered my body, I passed out and my colleagues rushed me to the hospital. I thought I was going to die, but miraculously I survived. The doctor had to amputate my right leg up to my thigh because the injury was very serious,” he said.
Shamsudin added that he spent two months in the hospital. He said the support as well as encouragement from his family and friends helped him to recover.
He received his artificial leg (a titanium prosthetic leg) in 2012 which slowly allowed him to regain his confidence to live his life normally.
“About four years ago, I opened a barber shop at Kampung Hulu, Sri Aman with the assistance of the Social Welfare Department under the Welfare Micro Entrepreneurs (UMK) programme. I have been interested in hair styling since I was young.
“I managed to earn a decent income before but the Covid-19 pandemic has badly affected my business. Before the pandemic, I could easily earn between RM2,800 and RM3,000 per month. But now, my income has dwindled to less than RM1,000 per month,” he said.
Meanwhile, single mother Nur Suhana Voon Abdullah, 40, who operates a small food stall in Sri Aman, is also finding it very hard to earn a living during the pandemic.
“I run a small food stall at Srijaya Food cCourt in Sri Aman. Before the pandemic, I made at least RM300 per month. I work from 8 am to 5 pm every day. Sales are slow since the pandemic hit but I need to keep the business running to support my family,” she said.
Nur Suhana has three children to support after her divorce two years ago. Her eldest daughter, Nur Fazlyanna Wan Fauzeli, 14, is a bright student and was selected to pursue her studies at Sekolah Menengah Sains Muar in Johor.
“I don’t have enough money to support my daughter’s school expenses in Johor. Fortunately, my sister, Gloria Naya, 63, who lives in Muar, is helping to look after her there. I am so grateful to her,” she said.
Nur Suhana’s other children are Wan Syairul Iman Wan Fauzeli, 10, and Wan Fazrell Adam Wan Fauzeli, 6.
Both Shamsudin and Nur Suhana expressed their gratitude to Yayasan Petronas for its kind contributions which helped to ease their burdens faced, especially during these trying times.
