Kelantan couple’s overcrowded home
Ariffin Isa (seated, right) and his wife,
Kota Baru, recently. Pic by Zaman Huri Isa KOTA BARU: Life is more than difficult for an elderly couple who not only live in poverty, but also share their two-bedroom house with 16 family members, comprising six adults and 10 children.
Ariffin Isa, 71, a former trishaw rider, and his 66-year-old wife, Zabina Ibrahim, have been living like this for almost 10 years in their rented house in Kampung Sireh Bawah Lembah here.
He said the problem began nine years ago when the couple’s son moved in with them, followed by their daughters.
(standing, right), with some of their
“Before that, it was only me, my wife and our third daughter, Rahimah, 31, who is unmarried, in the house.
“But after my son, Mohd Rosidi Sabri, 46, separated from his wife in 2007, he came to stay with us.
“Later, my first daughter, Rohaizad, her 56-year-old husband, Mohd Rasib, who is not well, and their six children joined us.
“They could not afford to rent a house because of Rohaizad’s small income from working as a canteen helper.
“Things got worse when my other two daughters, Rosalmizan, 33, and Nor Emira, 28, divorced their husbands in 2008 and 2009, and came to live with us.”
Ariffin said he accepted his fate as a test from God.
Besides Rohaizad, his other two daughters are employed. One works at a nearby canteen, while the other works at a petrol station. His son does odd jobs in the village.
“Their income is only enough to cover rent, which is RM220 a month, daily expenses and necessary items.
“Our life is kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang (live from
in Kampung Sireh Bawah hand to mouth).”
He said this at his house on Thursday after a visit from Kota Baru Umno division deputy chief Mohd Hasnan Che Hussin, who settled the family’s outstanding electricity bill over the last three months, which had amounted to RM500.
Hasnan said he was asked to help the couple, especially in taking care of their 10 grandchildren.
“This is part of my duties. They are living in poverty, despite some family members being employed.
“Their income is not enough to support the whole family.”