KUALA NERUS: Life’s hardships have forced a disabled man to feed his family with expired food to survive.
Jani Yusof, 62, from Kampung Darat, Batu Rakit here said that every day, he and his wife, Maznah Abu Bakar, 43, go out to search for food around rubbish bins near supermarkets to support their three children, aged two to eight years.
Born with a disability in his right leg, he said that the RM200 a month he makes from selling discarded items such as bottles, scrap metal and plastic is not enough to cover their family’s expenses, including the schooling costs of his two children.
"As for food, I cannot bear to take scraps from the bin because they are clearly contaminated. So, I collect expired food instead, as it is still wrapped in plastic and does not mix with other rubbish,” he said.
"Although it breaks my heart to feed my wife and children discarded food, I think it’s better than letting them starve,” he added when met at his home on Thursday (Feb 6).
Jani said that although he receives an annual living allowance of RM4,000 from the Terengganu Islamic Religion and Malay Customs Council (Maidam), the amount is insufficient due to the high cost of living and schooling expenses at present.
He said that, for now, the five of them are living in a house built from discarded plywood, situated on land owned by his brother-in-law.
"I hope someone can help build a more comfortable home for us in the future. During the monsoon season, we get drenched as the rain splashes in,” he said.
Fortunately, the hardship of the family caught the attention of the Terengganu Keadilan Youth Wing (AMK), who visited the family on Thursday.
State AMK chief Md Asyraf Zulfadhly Md Zainudin, said the family would be taken in as an ‘adopted’ family, with a focus on the education of Jani’s two children.
"We’ve already discussed with the Terengganu Education Department (JPNT) to assess the needs of Muhammad Aqil Azhari, 8, and Muhammad Syahrin Izzudin, 7.
"In addition, we will look into other assistance the family may need and bring it to the attention of the relevant authorities,” said Md Asyraf, who also contributed cash aid and groceries to the family.- Bernama
