Light at the end of tunnel

BAGAN MCA has come to the aid of a single mother and her three children who have been living without power supply to their flat un it at Ampang Jajar in Mak Mandin near Butterworth.

Bagan MCA Youth chief David Chua, who is also the Bagan Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) officer, and Sungai Puyu ICU officer Sum Yoo Keong made arrangements to restore the power supply which was disconnected about a month ago.

R. Kogilam, 40, said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) disconnected her power supply and dismantled the meter when she failed to settle her RM150 bill for three months.

“I went to the TNB office but they asked for the tenancy agreement with the state Housing Department. I then sought Chua’s help as my agreement expired on Aug 31,” she said.

Kogilam said Chua obtained a letter from the department after he made an appeal and agreed to settle her outstanding rental of RM1,500.

★ Household essentials: Chua (right) presenting food item to Kogilam (left) and her daughter Joyce. With them are (from second right) resident committee member Nordin Mohd Saad, Sum, Flat Ampang Jajar KRT deputy chairman Ibrahim Md Din and Bagan MCA member Mary Tong during their visit to Kogilam's flat in Mak Mandin, Butterworth.

She said she could not go to work as she has an intestinal ailment which required her to visit the Alor Setar Hospital once a month for treatment, and her eight-year-old daughter Joyce is suffering from a form of amnesia.

Kogilam’s husband died 10 years ago from a heart ailment. Besides Joyce, who is in Year Two, she also has two other daughters, aged 17 and 18.

She said she received an RM200 monthly aid from the Welfare Department and RM150 from the Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Society Malaysia, and her eldest daughter is looking for a job.

Chua said he would go to the TNB office tomorrow to restore the power.

“I will check with the Health Ministry whether Kogilam could seek treatment from the Seberang Jaya Hospital or Penang Hospital, or if the hospital could courier her medication to her house, as the travelling incurs additional expenses,” he said.

Chua also handed over food items to the family, including a birthday cake for Joyce who turned eight on Sept 18.
The Star
By S. ARULLDAS