An heirloom house inhabited by a mother and son at Kampung Sayong Tengah in Kuala Kangsar, Perak which was destroyed in a fire that broke out on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri (May 13) gained public attention recently.
Since the incident was spread via mass media, many began to step forward presenting contributions of various forms based on necessities.
Besides the local community, other parties such as governmental organisations and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) have shown care and empathy to 23-year-old Muhammad Azhar Taha Suhaimi and his 66-year-old mother, Halimah Bistamam.
“After the incident was spread in social media, many came to our aid, including UiTM. Most of them were donations of necessities and more,” he said when met recently.
Muhammad Azhar, a UiTM Puncak Alam student who’s currently in his second semester of studies for the landscape architecture degree programme, said that he will be grateful for any assistance from willing parties to lessen their burden in getting a new place to stay and carry on with their lives.
The incident occurred around 6.30pm and had severely consumed the two-storey kampong house of more than 60 years.
According to him, the fire was detected when they smelled something burning and smoke began to fill the bottom part of the house.
“I had just turned on my laptop to view university assignments. My mother was chatting with me nearby and the next thing we knew, the house had become smoky and hot.
“Then, we heard the sound of a small explosion at the upper part of the house before realising that there was a fire. We panicked and I asked my mother to get out of the house,” Muhammad Azhar recalled.
He reported that he was in a dead-end when his laptop, smartphone and final year project progress were all destroyed in the fire, besides sustaining burns on his right hand, shoulders and the right side of his head.
Meanwhile, Halimah said that she accepted what had happened, despite the sadness.
“It was fate and I had no choice but to be patient. It was saddening indeed and I tear up every time I remember the situation. Since yesterday, many parties have contributed aid such as telekung (prayer veil), towels, a bicycle and food aid.
“However, I worry for our current situation as we’re staying at a relative’s house and it might disrupt my son’s studies who’s currently in the middle of the semester,” she expressed.
A spokesperson for the Kuala Kangsar Social Welfare Department (JKM) informed that a one-off cash aid payment of RM200 and an emergency kit consisting of towels, prayer veils, mats and more have been channeled to the family, besides offering counselling assistance for the mother and son.
Those who would like to channel aid may do so via Maybank (account number 158097930645), Bank Simpanan Nasional (0899541000356177) or Bank Islam (08095020107615), all under the name Muhammad Azhar Taha Suhaimi.
Rosli Mansor
===========================
Get your local news fast. Download the Ipoh Echo App on your mobile. Available on both Google Playstore and Apple Appstore.
