Poverty-stricken warrior's widow gets JHEV's attention

Linjong Edward, 70, the widow of a national hero, the late Ranger Tinggi Chakom who died while battling the communist terrorists, was reportedly living in abject poverty when she was tracked down by the Malaysian Armed Forces Veteran Affairs Department (JHEV ATM) Sarawak.

Its director Major Pahot Joll said they traced Linjong after receiving information from a veteran who informed that the widow was living alone in a state of poverty at a longhouse, Rumah Karin, Skrang, near here.

"Upon receiving the information, we found her eking out a living on her late husband's pension of RM243.67 a month as well as relying on the kindness of the villagers for her daily needs," he said in a statement.

Pahot who visited the widow also offered food aid and donations from the department's 'Tabung Jasamu' besides helping Linjong fill documents to enable her to be listed as a recipient for Bantuan Sara Hidup (Cost of Living Aid) from the government.

Linjong had previously relied on her son but he passed away a few years ago at the age of 52, while her grandson followed his mother, leaving Linjong alone.

According to Pahot, her late husband was with three other Sarawak Rangers when they were ambushed by a group of communist terrorists and died in the ensuing battle on the banks of Sungai Rajang on Nov 22, 1970.

-- BERNAMA