Reprieve for families in dilapidated houses

EIGHTY mostly Indian families living in dilapidated estate houses more than 100 years old in Nibong Tebal, Penang, got a reprieve after the intervention of the authorities, Malaysia Nanban reported.

The poor living conditions of the families in Ladang Changkat were reported by the daily earlier this month, particularly about two families who had lost part of their roofs in a recent rainstorm.

Seberang Perai Municipal Council councillor for Jawi and Nibong Tebal Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the authorities have started rectifying the family’s problems.

H’ng worked with Jawi assemblyman Soon Lip Chee’s office and several private companies to help the families improve their homes.

The roofs have been repaired as a priority, he said, and the other houses will be refurbished in stages.

> A man in Madya Pradesh, India, who was rejected by his girlfriend set fire to 500,000 rupees (RM29,400) he had stolen for their wedding, Tamil Nesan reported.

Jitendra Goyal, 22, who worked at a finance company in the state capital, reportedly stole 674,000 rupees (RM39,631) from the firm’s safe.

After the firm filed a police report over the missing money, authorities found the man with the burnt notes and the remainder of the cash in his home.