Rising living costs have pushed one Malaysian family to the brink, forcing them to spend several nights living inside their car after losing their rented home.
According to a report by Harian Metro, a couple in their 30s were forced to live in their car with their four children, including a 12-month-old baby, for three days after their rental house was taken back by the owner.
The family was later assisted by authorities and arranged to stay at a public housing flat.
Monthly income barely covers daily expenses
The 39-year-old mother, Norl, said her 35-year-old husband works at a factory in Senai with a monthly income of around RM1,500. However, the amount was no longer sufficient after accounting for rising household expenses.
She explained that her husband and two of their children frequently suffer from asthma, requiring repeated visits to Johor Bahru General Hospital for treatment, further adding to the family’s financial burden.
Norl also shared that one of her children, aged 11, has autism and requires constant care, preventing her from going out to work to help support the family financially.
She said the family had previously received assistance from the Social Welfare Department three years ago but did not submit a new application afterward. As for the Johor Islamic Religious Council, they had only received one-off aid.
Family slept in car under bridge
After losing their home, the family of six parked their car under a bridge in a kampung area, where they stayed in difficult conditions.
Norl said she was relieved that, with help from various parties, the family has now been placed at the Sungai Tiram public housing flats.
Although the family has received food aid, Norl said they are still short of basic household necessities such as cooking equipment.
We are very grateful to everyone who extended help to us. We hope their kindness will be repaid,” she said.
Family relocated
Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the authorities acted swiftly after receiving a report from Larkin assemblyman.
He added that officers were immediately dispatched to provide emergency assistance to ensure the welfare and safety of the children.
The family has since been relocated to the Sungai Tiram Public Housing Project (PPR) with the assistance of the authorities.
The woman expressed her gratitude for the help received, saying that while the Johor Islamic Religious Council has provided food aid, the family is still lacking basic household necessities such as cooking equipment, and hoped that those who assisted them would be rewarded for their kindness.
