TRADER GRATEFUL FOR NEW FRIDGE
S. Murugamah, who travelled 3 hours to get to Penang markets, is aided by Machang Bubuk rep
SMALL-SCALE trader S. Murugamah, 61, has finally obtained a new fridge. Previously, she had to travel from Nibong Tebal to markets in Penang every week for supplies ever since her fridge broke down.
Last week, the New Sunday Times highlighted the predicament faced by Murugamah, who lived alone and made ends meet by selling dried food items, such as anchovies, salted fish and prawns, near the markets.
“With the new fridge, I no longer have to travel to the island every weekend, which is a huge blessing for me.”
She used to cycle twice a week from her rented home to a bus stop in Nibong Tebal at 5am and make her way to the Butterworth Jetty, before taking a ferry to Swettenham Pier in George Town.
After that, she would take another bus to the Air Itam and Jelutong markets. By the time she arrived at the market, it would be 8.30am, and it took another three hours for her to return home.
Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon bought her a new fridge.
“I am so grateful to him... he is not even the assemblyman for my area, but he was kind enough assist me.
“My business was not doing well due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions. But now, with the new fridge, I can store more supplies and reduce my trips to the island, which helps me cut my expenses,” she told the New Sunday Times.
Photographer Keow Wee Loong, 32, who approached Lee to help Murugamah, said he learned about her plight from a friend.
“A friend asked me whether I could help aunty (Murugamah), and after I listened to her plight, I decided to help because no one at her age deserves to travel such a distance to make a decent living.
“I first contacted the Nibong Tebal member of parliament, but to no avail, then I spoke to Lee about the matter yesterday (Friday).
“We visited her last (Friday) night and asked her how we could help.
“Aunty told us that she just needed a new fridge, so YB chipped in and bought her one.”
Keow hoped the new fridge could help increase Murugamah’s income.
“She told me she earned RM30 to RM40 a day. I hope with more storage now, she can earn between RM100 and RM150 daily,” he added.