Grandma sad over loss of b’day card
Special gift from ailing grandson destroyed after storm blows roof off
BENTONG: A birthday card may cost less than RM3 but the one that grandmother Jamilah Mohd Jamal had received was priceless to her.
The card was given to her on her 40th birthday by her grandson who was hospitalised for heart disease.
But this precious gift was destroyed in a freak storm when strong winds blew away the roof of her house here in July.
“It happened so fast, I could not save anything.
“But what saddened me most was the birthday card became wet and tore.
“My grandson was fighting for his life in hospital when he wrote me the card and it was the most precious gift I ever got,” said the 45-year-old housewife.
When she told her grandson about it, the young boy who is in kindergarten consoled her, saying that he could always give her more presents for future birthdays.
Jamilah was among around 280 victims who received monetary aid from Bentong MP Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai yesterday to repair their storm-damaged houses.
Each received RM200. They had earlier been given RM400 each by the Pahang government.
“Thank you Datuk Seri for your concern, now I can repair my roof,” said Jamilah, adding that the roof was still not fixed because she had no extra money for it.
Another victim, Wong Siew Ying, 64, said she was so frightened that she was rooted to the spot during the storm.
“Luckily my children were at home and they made me duck for cover from the falling roof tiles,” she said, adding that the electrical appliances in her home were also damaged.
Liow, who is also MCA president, hoped the small token would help ease the victims’ financial burden.
He said it has always been his desire to see the people living happily and in harmony.
“My only agenda is to help the people, bring up Bentong and see the town progress,” he added.
He urged the people not to be easily hoodwinked by sweet talk from the Opposition.
“They only know how to complain, criticise and spread hatred against the Barisan Nasional government.
“When the people trusted them and voted for them, they only brought hudud to us,” he added, urging the constituents to vote wisely in the next general election.
Later, Liow inspected a new car park near Bentong Walk.
He said the parking area, which could accommodate some 30 vehicles, could ease the parking problems caused by the increasing number of tourists to the town.
He thanked Pahang MCA chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun for making the effort to get the land and upgrade it.