GURUN: Touched by the ongoing plight of a family of five facing untold hardships, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stepped in to provide crucial support and assistance.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, organised a cash donation to be presented to the family through the State Development Office under the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU).
His political secretary Kamil Munim said the head of the family, Arman Othman, 49, suffered a stroke while his wife, Mazliana Jamaluddin, 39, was diagnosed with a tumour in her head and is now bedridden.
“During my working visit to Kedah today I visited Mazliana’s family and two other families to deliver donations from the Prime Minister.
“I was informed that she received assistance from the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) and the Social Welfare Department as well. We will also look into other forms of assistance to help this family,” he told reporters after the Ziarah Madani programme at the family’s home in Taman Ria Mesra II near here, yesterday afternoon.
Also present was Sungai Petani Member of Parliament, Dr Mohammed Taufik Johari.
According to Kamil, the couple’s hardship is compounded by the eldest of their children being disabled from birth.
Leaders and the surrounding community have been coming together to regularly help the family cope, he added.
“Today we presented a cash donation. This is part of the government’s initiative to help the people nationwide and we are implementing it without specific allocations,” he said, adding that at the moment the family urgently needs a hospital bed.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Taufik said the Sungai Petani Parliament office will work with relevant agencies, especially the ICU, to monitor the family’s situation.
“Their children are still schooling and that requires funds as well. They also need help with daily necessities, disposable diapers, special milk formula and other things. So, I will monitor their needs monthly,” he said.
Meanwhile, the couple expressed their deepest gratitude for all the generous donations and assistance from the Prime Minister and other donors.
Arman said he was shocked when he was informed the Prime Minister’s representative would be visiting the family to present a donation.
“I feel moved, happy and grateful for their care, concern and assistance,” he said.
Bernama was informed that Mazliana lives with her youngest sister, Norlela Jamaluddin, 30, near her family home, to make it easier for all her siblings to help out.
Norlela said her brother-in-law still lives in his house with their eldest son, Aiman Irfan, 20, while their two other children, Aiman Ikhwan, 15, and Aina Najwa, 10, live with her.
“Aiman Ikhwan’s the main caregiver for his mother, especially after the second operation on Dec 21 last year. I work in a factory and take turns with our other siblings to care for her,” she said.
A recent clip on social media showed Aiman Ikhwan taking care of his bedridden mother, giving sponge baths, changing disposable diapers and feeding her the special formula milk she needs seven times a day. – BERNAMA
