Major streak of bad luck

IPOH: Down on their luck, a family of three have had no choice but to live in a car at a parking lot in Kampar near here for the past two months.

To make things worse, flower seller R. Rengaiya, 51, recently underwent a heart and kidney operation while his wife N. Karnagi, 44, is disabled waist down.

Rengaiya said they had to leave their rented house in Taman Kinta, Gopeng, in early March because they were unable to pay the rent.

His seven-year-old son has stopped going to school since last month.

“I used to sell flowers by the roadside but after being told to leave the rented house, I could no longer afford doing the business,” he said.

Although he has been receiving RM350 aid every month from the Welfare Department, it is not enough for household expenses and medicine.

Living nightmare: Rengaiya, Karnagi and their son have been sleeping in their car for about two months.

The family has been leading a nomadic lifestyle in their blue 1973 Honda Civic hatchback, moving from one area to another while looking for a new home and financial assistance.

“I’ve moved around and stopped at about 30 areas between Lawan Kuda, Gopeng and Jelapang.

“We bathed at temples, pleaded for petrol money and have also been looking for a home,” he said at a press conference held by Perak Barisan Nasional Public Service and Complaints Centre chief Mohd Rawi Abdullah yesterday.

Rengaiya said the rented house in Gopeng was too dilapidated to live in anymore and was advised by the owner to find another home.

“The place was infested with termites. The house also did not have a toilet,” he said.

“I’ve tried looking for other homes but the rental is very high.

“Some of my friends have invited us to stay with them but we can’t do so for long periods. It would be better to have our own home,” he said.

Health problems: Rengaiya and his family showing documents about his heart condition and kidney transplant operation during the press conference.

Rengaiya is a heart patient, while his wife is paralysed from the waist down since she was scalded with hot water when she was 18 years old.

“My heart doctor says I could go any time. I only want my family to have a home if I do pass away,” he said.

“I also had a kidney transplant operation in India more than a year ago,” he said, adding that it was funded by public donations.

Meanwhile, Mohd Rawi said he would try to get Rengaiya and his family a unit at the Ashby Road flats here.

Anyone who wishes to help the family can contact Mohd Rawi at 016-554 6655 or 019-516 8338.