Abandoned siblings need help

Abandoned siblings need help
By SARBAN SINGH
SEREMBAN: Their parents abandoned them six months ago and now, six children who have been staying in a wooden house smaller than an average classrom at the Paroi New Village near here may soon be homeless.
The oldest, Toh Chee How, 18, said the house would soon be demolished to make way for the Seremban-Kajang highway project.
“We used to pay RM60 in rent previously but when I stopped working six months ago to look after my siblings, the landlord stopped asking for rent.
“But now we have been told that we would have to vacate the house soon,” he said.
The siblings were abandoned by their parents because they could no longer provide for them. The couple now live in the Mambau new village.
Homeless and abandoned: Dr Yeow (right) and Yip (left) with the siblings at their dilapidated home. From left are Yee Ping, five, Chee Lee, seven, Chee Soon, 10, Ee Kwan, 12, and Chee How, 18 (behind). The oldest has been the sole breadwinner for the six.
Chee How said despite their misery, he was not prepared to part with his siblings Chee Kiat, 17, Ee Kwan, 12, Chee Soon, 10, Chee Lee, seven and Yee Ping, five.
“In all, there were 16 of us but my parents had over the years given away 10 of my other siblings. I will not let anyone take my siblings away despite our hardship,” he said during a press conference here.
Chee How used to earn RM400 working as a mechanic but stopped when his parents moved out six months ago.
“When I was working, I used to pay my aunt who lived in the same village RM100 monthly to cook for us.
“I can’t blame her because she needed the money to buy vegetables and rice,” said Chee How who had to stop schooling at Form 2 to work.
He is grateful that his siblings got free meals and other aid such as uniforms and shoes from their school.
Chee How said his father told him that when he earned enough, he would come back to get them.
“I don’t know when will that be. It has been months and this does not look good,” he said.
Their neighbours took the siblings’ plight to state MCA deputy chairman Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Thiam and former Rahang assemblyman Datuk Yip Chee Kiong.
“The MCA will try its best to help the siblings. First, we will try to get them a three room flat so that they could live in a more conducive environment,” he said.
Dr Yeow said Chee How had also told him that he was keen to get his motorcycle license so that he could go out and work.
He said those who wished to help the siblings could contact his assistant Teo Eng Kian at 019 623 8636 .