Trio Live in Abandoned Van & Make-Shift Tent After Losing Sources of Income

By Karissa Lund  •  14 Jul 2021 in News

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According to Astro Awani, a married couple and a Muslim convert had been sharing a spot behind a shop in an abandoned van, which was covered with blankets that acted as shade, for over a month.

The couple, Nor Hasidah Norsurah, 27, said she and her husband, Zaini Mohd Amin, 37, were forced to live in such poor conditions as they could not afford their rent after losing their sources of income.

She explained they had lived at the Taman Merdeka Permai flats but were evicted as there were new tenants coming in.

“I previously worked as a shop assistant with a daily wage of RM40, while my husband, who has asthma and was injured in an accident, can only collect recyclable materials due to his poor health,” she said.

Luckily the trio was found recently and swift action was taken by the Melaka government.

Muhammad Ayyad Abdullah, secretary of the community affairs department of the Melaka Chief Minister’s Office said the state government would help find more comfortable accommodation and provide suitable jobs for the married couple who were forced to survive in such a squalid situation after being evicted from their rented home.

“The 56-year-old convert who was living with the couple was referred to the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) for placement at the Balai Islam Balai Panjang.

“The state government will always help those in need to ensure they are taken care of,” he told reporters here yesterday (13 July).

Meanwhile, Hasidah said that she was thankful for the help and both the couple were offered jobs at a nearby fruit farm. They will also be moving to a rented house in Tambak Bugis, Telok Mas. She hopes that they can build a better life moving forward to ensure their continued survival.