ULU TIRAM: "Due to financial constraints, my husband decided to build a hut for our family of five using recycled and used materials."
This was what Norazlina Abdullah, 21, said when met in Kampung Baru Sungai Johor today.
She said her husband Mohd Farid Md Yusof, 30, built the hut using wood and discarded items over the span of a month because they couldn't afford to rent a house and didn't want to burden other family members.
Her husband, who used to work as a mechanic earning RM1,200 a month, previously had to pay RM800 to rent a house in Taman Pelangi Indah.
They were unable to pay for groceries and the needs of their children
This situation left them unable to cover kitchen expenses and the needs of their children aged eight months to three years.
"Our dwelling for the past two months is just a makeshift hut erected on my husband's family land. Despite the lack of facilities, we are grateful and happy.
"At one point in the past, we lived in a car because we failed to pay rent, but at least now we have a place to live.
"The hut only has water supply facility but no electricity, no rooms, and the toilet is still under construction," she said, adding their eldest and second child only drink condensed milk.
Farid said the house near Felda Ulu Tebrau is quite far away from Tiram town, and they have need to use an eight kilometre route through oil palm plantations to go there.
He now relies on the wages from working at the plantation. He is grateful for the kindness of villagers who offer various contributions and lend a motorcycle to facilitate his movement.
"I used to have a car, but it broke down after I used it to navigate through the oil palm plantation. The cost of repairing it is thousands of ringgit.
"Due to the lack of transportation, we used to walk to buy groceries and necessities for the children, but my wife and children never complained.
"We engage in farming and rely on candlelight at night," said Farid after receiving a motorcycle and donations of essential items from Persatuan Permata Baiduri Malaysia chairperson, Faridah Hamzah.
Meanwhile, Kampung Baru Sungai Johor head, Shahdon Abd Wahab, said they hope relevant agencies can offer suitable assistance to Farid's family, who are facing poverty.
He said this assistance should include improving the living conditions and safety of the family, considering there is also an issue with wild monkeys in the nearby plantation.