Senior citizen unfazed despite taking care of disabled siblings, two sons

BATU PAHAT: Despite suffering from chronic diabetes, in the name of love of her flesh and blood, a senior citizen, Zainah Ali, remained pumped up and persevered in caring for an elder brother, a younger brother and two sons, all of whom were categorised as disabled (PwD).

Zainah, 68, said she took on the responsibility after her husband, Mohd Palil Abd Rahman died on March 18 due to complications of the excretory tract, after a year of being diagnosed with the disease.

According to Zainah, all four under her care - Mustapha Ali, 71; Salleh Ali, 66; Norul Imran Mohamed @ Palil, 32, and Mohamad Solehin Mohamed @ Palil, 28, were categorised as PwD with learning disabilities since childhood.

"No matter how tough it is, I will continue to take care of them as long as I live and able to because it is a trust. If I don’t, who will?

“My worry now is that, should I go first, who will take care of them, especially my two children,” she said when met by Bernama at her residence at Taman Sri Penggaram, here, yesterday.

Zainah added, for now, she relies on her income through her late husband's monthly pension of around RM1,000. Her late husband had previously worked as a general worker in a government agency.

She said her children and siblings’ monthly assistance from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) had been cut off because there were issues with the update process, after they moved to this district, two years ago.

“Before this, we lived in Kota Tinggi and needed to update the latest residential address with JKM and the address in the identity card too. However, we cannot do it because it is problematic to do so. I too am not able as I have a chronic illness," she said.

Meanwhile, the Penggaram State Assembly Special Co-ordinating Committee (JPKD) Welfare Bureau head, Mohd Hamidi Mad Tap said that JPKD had been informed of the matter and would help the family to make new identity cards.

"We will also liaise with the Batu Pahat District JKM to continue the monthly contributions which they have been receiving," said Mohd Hamidi who is also the UMNO Batu Pahat Division Welfare Bureau head.

Members of the public who wish to offer assistance to Zainah's family can contact Mohd Hamidi at ‪019-708 6716‬.

-- BERNAMA