Family Of Five In Need Of New Home

The Family Is Still Awaiting A Response From Government Agencies Who Paid Them A Visit In 2011

Bandar Seri Begawan - A local family of five is currently awaiting a decision on possible relocation away from their dilapidated residence - a wooden stilt house in Kampung Sungai Bakong Lumut - which is no longer safe for habitation. The condition of the house continues to deteriorate day by day due to wear and tear and a termite infestation.

The house was constructed by the siblings of Md Salleh bin Sulaiman in the 1970s and was given to him as most of his siblings had their own homes with their respective families. Md Salleh, 46, is a freelance fisherman and earns a monthly income of between B$300 and $400 from selling his catch at a business stand at Simpang Pantai Lumut.

Md Salleh's family is comprised of his wife Roslina Abdullah - a teaching assistant at International School Brunei - and three of their children who are between the ages of 18 and 24 years.

Two of the children are employed while the youngest is awaiting the release of the '0' Level examination results.

Md Salleh was a recipient of 'Zakat Fakir Miskin' in 2008, which entitled him to around B$300 per month. But he said the money stopped coming in 2009.

"We would not ask for more than just a house. Not a big one, but a house that can fit my family comfortably, which is safe to live in," said Roslina, who has been living in the dilapidated house since she married Md Salleh some 27 years ago.

The family has claimed that an application for housing assistance was sent via the Penghulu of Mukim Liang sometime in 2011 and that after several months, government officials from various agencies paid them a visit to assess the family's eligibility for government assistance.

During the visit, Md Salleh was told that since the house ownership was still under his mother's name and not his own, he was advised to register it under his name so that the application process would become easier.

Md Salleh obliged and has since had the house ownership officially transferred under his name.

However, the family has still yet to receive any feedback from the relevant agencies regarding their application.

The family is becoming increasingly concerned as the wooden flooring of the entire house is rotten and brittle, and there are large gaps in the living room and the kitchen. After years of living in such conditions, Md Salleh and his family wish to relocate to a safer home. ~ Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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