KUCHING: Junaydy Nangut, 43, of Kampung Beradau in Siburan has been staying in his badly dilapidated house for decades and is often alone as his wife and four children are living with relatives in Serian.
Junaydy said his family cannot live with him as their house could collapse if there were too many people inside.
Sanjan Daik, political secretary to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen, met up with Junaydy at his house on Sunday afternoon to see how he could help him after being alerted by the villagers on Junaydy’s condition.
According to Junaydy, living in poverty is nothing new to him as the family has been living hand-to-mouth by relying on a meagre income from planting vegetables and selling jungle produce.
“Electricity and water supply to my house are connected from my neighbour’s house free of charge as we can’t afford to pay for it” he said.
The newly appointed Kampung Beradau village head Davinson Davies, when met at his residence, confirmed that the family fits the ‘miskin tegar’ (hardcore poor) criteria.
“Yes, the family is very poor and they don’t receive any welfare assistance. I will try to find ways to help the family. Maybe I will help them to apply for a house under the housing programme for the hardcore poor or apply for some funds from another source and build one on gotong-royong (communal) basis,” said Davinson.
