Malaysian Family Living In Public Toilet Warned

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Malaysian family living in public toilet warned

The Star

They have a rented house, a car and a motorcycle but a family of seven has been spending many of their nights in a public toilet in Ipoh, Malaysia.

The father is an attendant at Sultan Abdul Aziz recreational park’s public toilet while the mother claims that she cannot take all her five children home when her car breaks down.

Asmah Ismail, a 35-year-old housewife, had been warned against letting her children sleep in the toilet manned by her husband Mohd Sapri Abdul Hamid, 39, or risk having her welfare aid revoked.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie said Asmah should not have let her children spend the night at the toilet “out of convenience”.

“No matter how poor a family is, parents should never allow their children to live in such a pathetic environment,” said Heng during a visit to Asmah’s rented home in Kampung Manjoi near Ipoh yesterday.

“It is not right and she has actually committed an offence under the Child Act,” she said, adding that the children, aged between three months and seven, should be given proper care, shelter and other necessities.

She said based on information she had received, Asmah and her family had occasionally stayed at the public toilet since June.

“Asmah told us that they were forced to stay in the toilet on certain days because her car broke down and she could not travel back home.

“Earlier, she did not follow the state Welfare Department’s advice to stay home and take care of her children. If she still insists, we will stop extending aid to her and send her children to a welfare home.”

Heng said the family received a monthly aid of 400 ringgit (US$134) from the department and another 300 ringgit for two children who are slow learners.

Asmah said she was unable to take all her kids home on a bike.

“I cannot leave them alone at home. Sometimes, we have no choice but to sleep there when it rains.”

-- ANN 2011-08-30

[JohannaScott]

So, why is she following her husband to work anyway? Why doesn't she stay at home with the kids? At least, then she wouldn't have the problem of the car breaking down because she'd be home already.

[lovelomsak]

whynot sleep in the car?

[cflai]

Question is, where are these public toilets located? Highly possible some public toilets are actually cleaner than actual houses - with full tiling for walls and floors. And also next to some public toilets are "surau"s (prayer houses) where Muslims can go to pray. If the toilet is at one of the highway R&R stops, they are also near to food stalls. It will be a one stop shop, much more convenient than home!