PETALING JAYA: In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, a retiree loiters around the city for free meals provided by kind-hearted organisations daily.
The 71-year-old only known as Loe said she relies on soup kitchens in the metropolitan to sustain not only herself, but also her ailing husband.
While being a recipient of the government cash aid, Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, Loe said her application for monthly assistance from the Welfare Department (JKM) was rejected – twice.
“I am not sure why my applications were rejected. They didn’t explain and for me, if they don’t want to give, it’s fine.
“Everything (prices) has gone up nowadays. So, I come here (soup kitchens) to get free food.
“I also will try not to spend too much money, as long as my husband and I can get a meal, we’re okay,” she said when met at a soup kitchen in Kuala Lumpur.
At her age, she said no employer would hire her. However, she supported the idea of extending the retirement age.
“If the elderly can still walk and have no health issues, they should be allowed to work and employers should hire them.
“Through this, it can help the elderly to keep themselves busy while also providing them with an income,” she added.
Hoong, 73, prefers living alone, saying that he enjoys the freedom compared to being confined in an old folks home.
He said he has been living by himself as most of his close family members have passed away.
Hoong said due to his health condition, he is not able to work anymore and that he relies on the JKM’s monthly assistance.
He suggested that the government consider increasing the RM500 assistance from the department as the living cost is getting more expensive.
Loe and Hoong are just two elderly people in the city who rely on the good deeds of the public.
Kechara Soup Kitchen marketing director Justin Cheah said since the Covid-19 pandemic that triggered the nationwide movement control order, the NGO has seen an increase of 50% of beneficiaries from the elderly group.
He said that on a daily basis, the NGO gives out around 130 food packs to needy individuals, of which around 65 of them are elderly.
“On weekends, there are about 200 different elderly recipients we are giving to in other areas within Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Cheah said a safety net for the elderly is crucial to help them sustain their daily expenses.
He said for most, JKM’s assistance would only cover their lodging, and suggested increasing the amount of the cash aid.
“Currently, many of the people we are serving depend very much on our food because the money they receive from JKM is only enough for them to pay for their small room rental.”
Children who do not ensure their parents’ welfare should also be accountable, he said, adding that a system should be established for this.
Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS) said a special care centre for poor (fakir) and neglected elderly was established under the organisation, called Bait Al-Mawaddah.
LZS corporate communication division head Datin Norajun Ainun Mohd Hashim said the zakat board screens each case referred to it and works with JKM in managing the neglected elderly.
“For certain cases, if there are neglected elderly people who are reported to LZS, it will be extended to the relevant party (such as JKM) for further action.
“If the individual meets the set criteria, the person will be placed in Bait Al-Mawaddah owned by LZS,” she said.
While there are no regular welfare checks done by the board on elderly people, it will act on reports made by the public, Norajun Ainun said.
The enrolment to Bait Al-Mawaddah is on a voluntary basis, yet a stringent due diligence is required to ensure the individual falls under the fakir category.
“The entry criteria to Bait Al-Mawaddah is voluntary, single (no relative), able to take care of oneself, aged 60 years and above and qualified as an asnaf (beneficiary) of fakir,” she said, adding that the care centre currently houses 36 elderly people.
