While most of us were enjoying a hearty Christmas dinner with our loved ones on the 25th, this unfortunate family spent their Christmas night sleeping along the corridor of their flat after being evicted on that day.
According to FMT, the family of four previously rented a small place at Rifle Range Flats in Air Itam, Penang. After failing to pay three months’ rent amounting to RM900, the landlord and his two friends forcefully evicted the family and changed the lock.
Source: Sinchew
This left 52-year-old Looi Say Chye, and his 43-year-old Indonesian wife, Umi, stranded at the corridor together with their two children.
With their belongings spread across the narrow corridor, they spent the night sleeping on a thin mattress at the low-cost flat. Clearly, the living condition wasn’t conducive as the children wasn’t used to it.
“Last night, they were crying when sleeping along the corridor, but there’s nothing I can do about it,” the father said.Â
Source: FMT
Before Looi was sacked, he was making RM1,500 per month and they were already living paycheck to paycheck. Sadly, he got into an accident seven years ago.
“I was sending building plans to a developer in town. While crossing the street, I was hit and my leg was broken. I was sent to the Penang Hospital then, and my boss paid for the treatment,” he said.Â
Looi just couldn’t catch a break because a year later, he suffered from a stroke, which rendered his right arm powerless. Three months ago, he was laid off by his boss because he has “no energy” to work.
“My boss gave me RM1,000 and asked me to pay him back RM30,000 for my accident treatment many years ago,” he added.Â
Although he was a Social Security Organisation contributor, he couldn’t make any claim because his police report was misplaced.
The jobless father had no one to turn to, as his younger brother had cut ties with him.“After my mother died years ago, he sold our family house in Perak Lane. He never gave me any money and has been ignoring me,” he said.Â
Meanwhile, his wife has been working as a dishwasher at a nearby restaurant, earning about RM5 to RM10 per day. She is only able to work half a day as she needs to pick the children up at the free kindergarten nearby.
Source: FMT
Since Looi and Umi’s marriage is not registered due to the difference in religion, both Ah Boy and Cindy are stateless children, which may be a problem when they need to enrol in a government school in the future.
The father is now pleading for the members of the public to give his family a shelter while he searches for another job. “I hope someone can help, I’m not too concerned about myself. Just help my wife and children,” he said.
Source: FMT
We sincerely hope Looi’s family can get all the help they need. If you wish to help this family out, please contact Kebun Bunga assemblyman’s service centre’s officer Loh Eng Kim at 04-8265451 or 012-4886970.
Also read:Â Man Loses Job Due to Health Issues, Family Forced to Live Under Flyover
