In need of a home: (From left) Salma with Nur Siti Balqis, Muhammad Aslam and Syed Umar with the medication he has to take daily. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Twelve-year-old Muhammad Aslam Syed Umar and his 11-year-old sister Nur Siti Balqis Syed Umar are both autistic.
They are unable to walk or speak, are intellectually impaired, and need assistance to bathe, eat and dress.
What’s worse, they are both without a permanent roof over their heads, with their parents moving from one room to another at relatives’ or friends’ places.
Their father, Syed Umar Rasul Khan, 50, is a heart patient and jobless.
The former small-time contractor was diagnosed with a dilated aorta about three years ago and has been out of work since.
He needs to be home for the children, too.
“At times, Muhammad Aslam gets into a fit of rage and starts banging his head against furniture and doors when he is unable to express himself.
“My wife or I have to constantly keep our eyes on him to prevent serious injuries,” Syed Umar said.
He tried applying for a People’s Housing Project (PPR) unit, but was turned down because his wife, Salma Dada Peer, 36, is an Indian citizen.
Both parents have to be Malaysian citizens to be eligible for a PPR unit.
Instead, the state had offered them a RM42,000 low-cost unit in Balik Pulau, but Syed Umar could not take up the offer as, being jobless, he could not get a bank loan.
“With the little savings I had and after asking family members and friends, I could only come up with RM5,000,” he said.
Syed Umar, who receives RM1,400 a month from the Welfare Department and zakat payment, said he manages his family’s monthly expenses within that amount.
“I have to buy about six packs of diapers and milk for both my children and take them to the Penang Hospital about five to six times in a month.
“We also need RM500 to RM600 for household essentials, room rental, electricity and water,” he explained.
Desperate, Syed Umar decided to approach Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan for help.
At a press conference at his service centre yesterday, Kumaresan said the offer for the low-cost unit had expired, but he had written to the state Housing Board for a three-month extension.“The board has agreed to the extension, and we are appealing to caring Malaysians to help this father raise RM38,000 so his children can have a proper roof over their heads,” said Kumaresan.
Those who wish to help can contribute to the non-governmental organisation Persatuan Sahabat Prihatin Pulau Pinang’s Maybank account 557429053427 and WhatsApp the bank-in slip to Kumaresan’s service centre hotline at 017-2770388.
