Unable to Afford Rent, Elderly Johor Couple Built a Hut Using Recycled Materials

Due to being unable to afford rent, an elderly couple has decided to take matters into their own hands.

Using recycled materials, they built the small hut by the side of Sungai Masai, Johor, where they have been living since.

“We built this hut using recycled materials on the banks of Sungai Masai after not being able to pay rent,” shared 69-year-old Shuib Alna.

According to a report by Harian Metro, his life had changed 4 years ago, after he was involved in a road accident that caused him to be unable to work. He and his wife has since relied on the monthly assistance of the Department of Social Welfare (JKM), which amounts to RM500.

He has since also failed to get a job due to his age, while his wife, 61-year-old Sarimah Shaari who suffers from high blood pressure, has also lost her source of income from peeling onions after they had moved to living in the hut.

Along with their reliance on JKM’s assistance, they have been farming the area around their hut for food sources.

“I also catch fish in Sungai Masai using homemade nets and we depend on rainwater, the river and sometimes the clean water supply from the nearby flat residents who sympathise with us.”

“We don’t live here on purpose, I really cannot afford to pay the rent in this area which is between RM500 to RM600. I also don’t know the channel to apply for the People’s Housing Project (PPR). I am grateful that my wife is willing to go through this situation together and has never complained,” he added.

On top of this, throughout living in the hut for 3 years, they’ve encountered scary situations including being hit with floods, storms, lightning and being threatened by poisonous reptiles.

Thankfully, the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ) has stepped up to help as they are currently in the process getting a house for the elderly couple. They’ve also distributed a number of donations and essentials for the couple’s use.

Should anyone want to donate to the couple, they can do so through Sarimah’s bank account, 151240304841 (Maybank) or call them at 01136813569.

We genuinely hope that the couple gets relocated to their new home soon!

Also read: M’sian Shares How Property Agent Insisted on ‘Viewing Deposit’ of RM200 to Just View a House