Elderly couple needs assistance to repair dilapidated house
MIRI: Sixty-year-old Chai Sin Joon and his wife Sitel Nuga, 61, from Pujut 4 squatter area here are hoping that more individuals could assist them to build a new house as their present unit is in a dilapidated state.
United People’s Party (UPP) Pujut chairman Bruce Chai said immediate repair works would be needed to avoid the wooden house from collapsing into the nearby river.
“During a visit to the elderly couple’s house last week, we found out that the central section of the structure was severely damaged – to the extent that it had turned the shape of the house like the letter ‘V’. We fear that it may collapse at any time, if it’s not repaired immediately,” Chai told thesundaypost.
It is learnt that the couple has been living in the dilapidated house along the Baong River for over 10 years.
“The wife had to stop working as a dishwasher at a coffee shop near Pujut 7 to take care of her husband, who is suffering from a leg injury and not able to walk.
“She is afraid that whenever she is not at home, no one would take care of her husband because they have no children and relatives here.
“The wife also fears that her husband might fall and drown in the river, if ever their house collapsed,” said Chai, adding that Sitel has tumours in her stomach and is required to undergo surgery.
According to Chai, the couple has not agreed to move to a senior citizens home even though they know that they are facing danger by remaining in the dilapidated house.
“What we (UPP) can do now is to keep their house safe. We will try to help them apply for land in Tudan Desaras but this will involve many processes,” he added.
Chai added that the Miri Chai Clan Association would help repair the house to ensure that it would be safe for occupation.
During the visit, the UPP Pujut team donated essential kitchen items such as cooking oil, rice and canned foods.
A welfare organisation from Peninsular Malaysia, Shan Xin Charity Group also visited the couple.
The group provided daily expenses and medical assistance to the two.