Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
Arumugam Tanimalai could only look on helplessly as he witnessed the demolition of his home in Kampung Bunga Raya by the government on February 29th.
Despite assurances of a replacement within 3-4 years, no progress or aid has been provided to the 45-year-old father of four.
The estate was comprised about 112 houses, all of which were demolished.
A screenshot of their demolished house.
Arumugam’s village chief set a deadline for submitting documents for government-provided housing. However, when the demolition occurred, they had just 24 hours to evacuate, leaving behind half of their possessions, including crucial documents, their children’s uniforms, and books.
“We’ve lost all our documents, including our kids’ birth certificates,” shares Arumugam.
Currently, they are temporarily staying in a friend’s house until securing government-provided housing. However, the conditions are dire.
Image: The issue has aroused sympathy and indignation from concerned Malaysian netizens.
Arumugam’s family lives in a basic home without any comforts. They don’t have electricity, running water, or furniture. The kids sleep on the hard floor, and the windows aren’t finished, letting in wind and rain.
To cope, they collect rainwater for bathing, drinking, and making milk for their kids. But with limited resources, the children wear the same clothes day after day, showing how tough things are for the family.
Arumugam is currently job hunting, but his efforts are hindered by his age and past injuries from accidents during his time as a truck driver.
Meanwhile, their income is derived from selling clothing clips provided by a company. They sell approximately 10 to 20 boxes per month, each containing 20 sets. With a commission of RM 3 per box, their monthly earnings range from RM 30 to RM 60.
Their days are filled with uncertainty and despair, as they struggle to find enough food to eat and endure the harsh reality of extreme weather conditions.
“We don’t know how we’ll make it through each day,” Arumugam shares.
Amidst these challenges, some of their children face barriers to education. While Loga Raja, 16, continues attending school using the RapidKL bus, Hema Devan and Vishanthini, aged 12 and 8 respectively, are unable to do so due to the lack of transportation.
“The public buses don’t go to the school’s location, and my bike won’t start, so I can’t send them. I don’t have the money to fix it,” says Arumugam.
A few days ago, Ashwin, their 3-year-old, fell ill. However, when the parents couldn’t provide his birth certificate, the clinic refused to treat him.
Fortunately, with the assistance of the social worker, Maneesha, they explained the situation and persuaded the clinic to provide treatment.
They later discovered that the baby was very weak due to a lack of proper nutrients. The parents couldn’t afford milk powder and had been giving the baby “teh o” (tea with sugar and no milk) instead.
Struggling to make ends meet and facing dire circumstances, Arumugam’s family urgently requires assistance to address their immediate needs and ensure their well-being until they can secure stable housing and employment.
Their family is seeking donations, including monetary support, clothes, and groceries.
Below is Arumugam’s contact information:
Name: Arumugam Tanimalai
Contact Number: 01126295328
Bank account number: 7057156885
Bank account owner name: Maneesha
Bank name: CIMB
Maneesha, the volunteer social worker, reassures: “I’ll provide daily updates of bank statements and post receipts on Facebook to ensure transparency in expenses for groceries, food, and utilities. Your support in any form is greatly appreciated.”
Help Arumugam’s family get a roof over their heads by sharing this story.
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Help! This Fruit Seller Had An Accident and Needs Aid To Feed Her 5 Young Children
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