Zawiyah Ripin's and Meriam Yakob's house in Kampung Gajah Mati in Mersing in Mersing that was engulfed in a fire. Credit Johor Royal Press
AFTER waiting for close to two decades, S. Poongkodi’s wish of returning to her own house in Kulai was finally fulfilled, thanks to the generosity of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
The mother of two said that she moved out of the house with her two children after the death of her husband in 2006.
“My husband was on his way to work in Pasir Gudang when he met with an accident that took his life.
“Since then, me and my two children moved into my mother’s house as we could not bear the pain of losing him.
“We left our old house in Jalan Kelapa Sawit, and over time, the house’s condition got worse. I was unable to fix it as I kept whatever little money I earned for my children’s education.
“We have been dreaming of returning to the house for many years, and finally our dream came true, thanks to Sultan Ibrahim,” she said.
Single mother S. Poongkodi (right) receiving a mock key from Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation (YSIJ) coordinator Mejar Cina Datuk David Wong (left) for her house at Jalan Kelapa Sawit in Kulai. Credit Johor Royal Press
Poongkodi, 55, who works as a van driver, said that she could not find the words to express her gratitude to Sultan Ibrahim for rebuilding the house that meant so much to her family.
“I’m very grateful to Sultan Ibrahim for the kindness bestowed upon us. I will remember His Majesty’s kindness for the rest of my life,” she said, adding that she is also grateful to volunteers from Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor (YSIJ) for their assistance.
Poongkodi, who received the keys to her new house about a year ago, was just one of dozens whose lives were changed by the kind gesture of Sultan Ibrahim through YSIJ.
Also touched by the Johor Sultan’s generosity was Juraimi Palai, 55, whose plan to build his own house was previously dashed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“After living in a rented house for many years, I was able to save up some money and put my plan of building my own home into motion in 2019.
“Unfortunately, my dream never even got close to being realised as construction had to be stopped not long after it started due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zawiyah Ripin (second from right) and her mother Meriam Yakob (third from right) receiving a mock key for their new house in Kampung Gajah Mati in Mersing. Credit Johor Royal Press
“At that point, the house was still at the very early stage of construction, and only the pillars had been put up,” he said.
Juraimi, who has been running a business selling pelita (oil lamps) since 2016, said that he was unable to continue his mission after that due to financial constraints.
“The pandemic had significantly affected my business, making it impossible for me to continue where I left off with regards to the construction of the house.
“However, the dream later miraculously turned into reality when Sultan Ibrahim gave me a new house,” he said.
Meanwhile, brothers Tan Lai Ho and Tan Liang Siang, from Kampung Perigi Acheh, Masai, have been able to live in a comfortable house since November 2021 after years of facing leaking roofs, thanks to Sultan Ibrahim.
Lai Ho, 65, said he could not believe they could one day feel what it is like to live in a comfortable house with no leaking roofs.
“Finally, we are now able to live in a comfortable three-bedroom house with roofs that do not leak when it rains.
“I’m very thankful to His Majesty for being so caring to the lives of us senior citizens. I am grateful that we Johoreans have a Sultan whose heart is always close to the people regardless of race or religion,” said Lai Ho, who works as a helper at a Chinese temple.
Brothers Tan Lai Ho (right) and Tan Liang Siang (left) in front of their new house here in Kampung Perigi Acheh, Masai. Credit Johor Royal Press
He said that his brother, who is 67 years old, used to work as a fisherman before losing vision in both eyes due to glaucoma.
Through the YSIJ, Sultan Ibrahim has also given light to the lives of many who lost their homes due to disasters such as fire and storms.
Among them were 87-year-old Meriam Yakob and her 56-year-old daughter, Zawiyah Ripin, who received a new house from His Majesty less than two months after their home in Kampung Gajah Mati in Mersing was engulfed in a fire in May 2022.
“We are very grateful and honoured that the Johor Sultan was willing to show such kindness to us mother and daughter.
“What makes it even more amazing is that they are able to give us this new house in less than two months after we lost our house,” said Zawiyah.
The house brothers Tan Lai Ho and Tan Liang Siang used to live in before getting a new home from the Johor Sultan. Credit Johor Royal Press
Preschool assistant Nora Md Nor, 40, said that she did not believe her ears when told that the Sultan of Johor would help to rebuild her house that was damaged in a storm in Kampung Sungai Bunyi, Pontian.
“I could not believe it when I first heard the news. I am very grateful and touched by His Majesty’s willingness to help us.
“I have no other words to say but thank you,” said Nora, one of 15 families from the village whose homes were also rebuilt by YSIJ after they were destroyed in the storm.
