New home for evicted mother with 10 children, Steven Sim fulfils promise

Left jobless by the Covid-19 pandemic, a mother from Bukit Mertajam struggled to make ends meet for her 10 children, with just RM500 in monthly welfare assistance.

Taking to Facebook, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim said he was scheduled to attend an urgent meeting with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng this morning when he was alerted that the 37-year-old mother known as Ros had been evicted from her house after failing to pay rent.

With no place to go, the lawmaker said he found the former shop assistant crying outside her now sealed house, along with all her children, and their belongings packed in boxes.

"I told her, I will make sure that before sunset today, her family will have a roof over their heads," said Sim, who also shared photographs of his day with the family.

In preparation for the upcoming fasting month and Hari Raya celebration, he said he took them for grocery shopping at Tesco Bukit Mertajam, filling up two full trollies, to the surprise of the cashier on duty.

The younger children then came across a toy store, and although they did not ask for anything, Sim said he could sense what they wanted and took them in to buy their favourite toys.

As for their older sister in secondary school, Sim said he bought her a tablet for home learning.

The shopping trip was far from over as Sim said each child also received a new pair of baju raya.

"Their mother (Ros) said there was no need to buy her a pair and it was enough that her children each got one.

"But I told the children, this time we must buy for their mother," he said.

At lunch, Sim said he discovered it was the children's first experience to eat at McDonald's and so they had no idea what to order.

After enjoying their Happy Meals, he fulfilled his promise to Ros by taking them to her new house, a temporary rental unit pending approval of a house from the state government.

"I assured the woman that she need not worry about the rental and can stay there until they get a home from the state government," he added.

Having moved in and made sure that they are well-stocked, Sim said Ros had one final request that he granted, to buy a new blender so she could cook for her children.

"I promised that today will be a happy day for Puan Ros and family.

"I am very grateful to be able to share their happiness," he added. - Mkini