Raya shopping with royalty

King’s aunt brings festive cheer to 10 poor households

KOTA BARU: Octogenarian Sepiah Dollah, who ekes out a living selling serai (lemongrass) never dreamt of going Hari Raya shopping this year – let alone with a member of the royal family.

Needless to say, Sepiah was overcome with joy when Tengku Salwani, the paternal aunt of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, accompanied her and her grandchildren on a shopping trip for Hari Raya clothes.

Sepiah, 80, said the last thing on her mind was to go Hari Raya shopping, adding that she was too caught up with her daily struggle, so much so that she could not think of names for her newborn twin grandchildren who were under the care of the Welfare Department.

She said she was glad that there were people who cared enough to take her other three grandchildren – Suryani Sabri, nine, Fikri, eight, and Sabirah, six – shopping.

“At least they can feel the Hari Raya joy. Buying new clothes is a luxury for us as our priority is putting food on the table.

“My jobless daughter is down with mental health problems ever since her divorce,’’ she added.

Sepiah was among 70 people from 10 poor households who were treated to a Hari Raya shopping spree under the Kita Kongsi (We Share) programme jointly organised by Kelab Media Kelantan (Kemudi), Grand Riverview Hotel and Kelantan Creative TV.

Kemudi president Azran Fitri Abdul Rahim said the club spent RM12,000 in the final leg of the Ramadan programme yesterday.

Sepiah, who earns about RM30 weekly selling serai, gets RM400 monthly assistance from MAIK (Kelantan Islamic Religious Council).

“My grandchildren each get RM100 monthly from the Welfare Department, and my daughter, who has an OKU card, gets RM150.

“I am trying my best to ensure my grandchildren continue with their schooling,” said the frail woman.

Rosmawaty Junoh, 37, said she felt bad for burdening her mother.

“I do not know what to do. I have to go to hospital regularly for treatment.

“I do not know what is going to happen to my baby girls,” she added.

Raya cheer: Tengku Salwani (centre, wearing light green tudung) participating in the ‘Kita Kongsi’ programme. With them is Sepiah (front right, wearing purple tudung).