Misery for family of five living in a car over, thanks to Penang govt and well-wishers

THE family of five, who were staying inside a Proton Saga Aeroback for the past eight months in Penang, can now heave a sigh of relief after getting to stay temporarily at a People’s Housing Project (PPR) unit in Rifle Range, Padang Tembak.

After the predicament of Ganesh Soundarajah, 33, his wife Parameswari, 32, and three children aged six years, three years and eight months, was highlighted by the media, many well-wishers have come forward to offer their help.

The Penang government, through its state Housing Department, also swiftly looked into the matter and offered a temporary PPR unit for the family.

The PPR unit is made free for Ganesh and his family, who were fire victims, until they can locate a new home.

State Housing, Local Government, Country and Town Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state was always concerned with the people’s welfare.

Jagdeep hands over the key to Ganesh during his visit.

He said the unit would at least provide a respite for the family for a short term basis.

“In fact, they would be placed under a priority list for a rent-to-own (RTO) scheme at an affordable unit.

“The state is looking at this seriously as we immediately get the family a place to stay.

“After their home at Carnarvon Street was razed by a fire in April this year, the state had offered the family a temporary evacuation centre but they did not accept it.

“Nevertheless, we will still continue with our best effort to help them,” he told reporters after visiting the family at Block J, Rifle Range, Padang Tembak today.

Jagdeep added that the state was committed to serving the people by ensuring adequate affordable homes for everyone.

“Please don’t assume that we (state) are not doing anything. In fact, we are always ready to assist.

“Housing issue should not be politicised,” he said, adding that there are only a total of 999 units of PPR in the state.

He added that Penang has the least units of PPR in the nation and the state was hoping that the Federal Government would speed up the process of building more of such units.

“We did not receive any response from the Federal Government after offering them plots of land to build PPR units,” said Jagdeep.

Ganesh also took the opportunity to thank the state and the public for assisting him and his family.

“I’m really happy and appreciate by the people’s assistance.

“Thank you once again,” he said.

Also present during the visit was the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) president P. Murugiah.

He also thanked the state government for their immediate response that helped to end the misery of the family living in a car.

“The issue, faced by Ganesh and his family that was highlighted by the Penang Hindu Association, caught the attention of YB. Jagdeep.

“He immediately expedited the approval of a state PBR unit and personally handed over the keys to the unit to Ganesh at 5pm yesterday,” said Murugiah.

Murugiah (right) with the family at their PPR unit.

Murugiah also thanked the media for helping to highlight the issue.

He also thanked all the donors and well-wishers, both local and from overseas, including Australia, Germany and Canada who came forward with donations in cash and kind to provide a decent life for Ganesh and his family.

“These kind gestures without any expectation show that the faith in humanity is very much alive,” Murugiah added.

Among the well-wishers was philanthropist and preacher Ebit Lew, who drove all the up to Penang from Johor to help Ganesh and his family yesterday.

Story and pix by Edmund Lee