'Adik Firdaus Fund' launched to assist abandoned teen

Wanita UMNO today set up the 'Adik Firdaus Fund' to assist a handicapped teen who was found in utter neglect in a flat in Taman Semarak, Nilai, near here, on Saturday.

Its chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the fund was a proactive measure by the UMNO wing to help Muhammad Firdaus Dullah, 15.

"Wanita UMNO kicks off the fund with RM2,000. The president of the Welfare Association of Wives of Senior Government Servants and Elected Representatives of Negeri Sembilan (Pekerti), Datin Seri Raja Salbiah Tengku Nujumuddin, also gave the same amount. Raja Salbiah is the wife of the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar.

She said this to reporters after visiting Firdaus at the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital (HTJS), here, today.

Other than Raja Salbiah, also present was the Negeri Sembilan Wanita UMNO chief, Datuk Norhayati Omar.

Shahrizat said the fund would be jointly managed by HTJS, State Welfare Services Department (JKM) and State Wanita UMNO.

She urged the public to report directly to the UMNO wing or the nearest JKM office on any such cases in their respective areas so that quick action could be taken.

Meanwhile, HTJS director, Datuk Dr Jaafar Che Mat said Firdaus could have gone without food for several months or had been given inappropriate food.

He said no signs of injuries or abuse were found on Firdaus but he was starving and dehydrated and HTJS had informed the police about it.

"Firdaus weighed only 15kg when he was admitted. We gave him nutritious food to increase his weight. His condition is currently stable. He will have other needs, and at least a month to regain his weight," he added.