Family of homeless SPM achiever gets motorcycle

The Umno Welfare Bureau today handed over a motorcycle aid to the family of a poor student who obtained good results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2016 examination, Farah Marcella Bandie.

The white-coloured SYM motorcycle was handed over by Pasir Gudang Umno Youth head, Azman Ja'afar to the mother of Farah Marcella, Hasliza Hassan, 40, witnessed by the Umno Welfare Bureau Operations Secretary, Shoubli Jamal.

Hasliza, who works as a shop assistant, when met by reporters, said that she was thankful for the contribution and the motorcycle would be used to facilitate her daily routine especially in sending her two children to school.

"Usually, I walk to go to the shop or send my children to school located one kilometre away. With the motorcycle, I can ease the burden because I can send my children to school and buy necessities from the shop," said Hasliza who earns RM1,400 a month.

Meanwhile, Shoubli said besides the motorcycle contribution, the Umno Welfare Bureau chaired by Lenggong Member of Parliament Shamsul Anuar Nasarah would ensure that the family too would receive other aid.

"Datuk (Shamsul Anuar) said that for Farah Marcella, we (Umno Welfare Bureau) will ensure that she (Farah Marcella) receives aid. We will do relevant follow-up with her teacher," he said.

Meanwhile, Azman said the Pasir Gudang Umno Youth was making arrangements so that the family could move to a comfortable home with the rental deposit on the house to be borne by Johor State Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ).

Farah Marcella, 18, a student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Kota Puteri in Johor Baru, obtained 6A, 1B+ and 1C although she only studied in a serious manner for two and a half months with assistance from her teacher, Suraya Abdul Rahim before sitting for the SPM last year due to poverty.

Farah Marcella's story received public attention as she had to squat at a snooker centre in Taman Kota Puteri, Masai together with her mother and siblings after being deserted by her father.

--Bernama