'Why didn't you come and see me?' - Dr Akmal
KUALA LUMPUR: The plight of a family living in poor conditions without water and electricity in Merlimau has caught the attention of assemblyman Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the assemblyman for Merlimau, became aware of a family's dire living conditions in the area following a video shared by the Umno Youth chief on social media. The family, consisting of three young children, had been without electricity for two weeks and without water for a prolonged period due to their inability to pay their respective bills. The electricity bill amounted to RM2,387.32, while the water bill was RM5,000.
In the video, Dr Akmal was visibly shocked by the family's situation, which included their partially roofless home. He confronted the family head about their lack of communication, expressing embarrassment and shame. He emphasized the distress of raising young children, including a two-month-old baby, in such conditions. Dr Akmal pleaded with the family not to stop working, promising to find them if he discovered they were not employed.
He expressed guilt over their situation, highlighting that others in the area had electricity and water, while this family did not.
Dr Akmal took immediate action by paying the family's outstanding bills and resolving their water supply issue. However, he clarified that the financial assistance was not sourced from government allocation funds but rather from his own salary. He emphasized that the repayment of this debt was tied to the family's commitment to caring for their children and maintaining employment.
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