A BLIND man living alone in Taman Bukit Jambul Block F is hoping that good news will come his way after Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan came a-calling today.
Harrichandran Manokaran, 42, has been told to move out of the unit he is staying because his relatives are planning to sell it off.
On top of his blindness, Harrichandran said he has been a diabetic for the past 16 years, requiring dialysis treatment thrice a week.
Kumaresan, who was told of Harrichandran’s plight through the latter’s friend, M. Saravanan, has offered to lend a helping hand.
“He requested a rent-to-own unit which I can help him apply for it. But because it is only available in Balik Pulau, he is not interested in it. There is no one over there he really knows.
“He found a cheap room in Batu Uban for rent at RM450 per month and I told him to take it. Socso gives him RM600 per month and the state Welfare Department RM300 per month.
“I will appeal to the state Welfare Department to restore the monthly assistance of RM450 per month instead of cutting it down to RM300 recently for Harrichandran.
“I have offered to pay two months of rental for him when he moves to his new room in Batu Uban. And he has agreed on that.
“I have also offered to help him apply for a PPR (People’s Housing Programme) unit. He wanted a ground floor unit which I could not promise. Anyway, he is now on the waiting list,” said Kumaresan, who presented some groceries to Harrichandran during his visit today.
Harrichandran was appreciative of Kumaresan’s kind gesture.
“I thank YB Kumaresan for his help to lighten my burden. I wish my room rental of RM450 is taken care of. I will adjust my own miscellaneous expenses with whatever I have remaining,” Harrichandran said.
Saravanan also helps buy the daily needs for Harrichandran as well as drives him to the dialysis centre in Bayan Baru for treatment.
Kumaresan, who has been helping a number of people in the vulnerable groups in Batu Uban constituency, said those who need help can contact his service centre, MPKK (Village Community Management Council) or his office hotline (017-2770388) via WhatsApp messages which would be responded to within 24 hours.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan