by Lim How Pim, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Posted on May 13, 2012, Sunday

Alin has to stop working because of his condition. He needs three dialysis sessions weekly and each costs RM110.

WE NEED HELP: Piah and children, aged six and two, in their make-shift shack.

KUCHING:Squatter Alin Ngabong is living on borrowed time.

Since early this month, the 42-year-old from Batu Kawah has been getting dialysis treatment after being diagnosed with end-stage renal failure.

On May 4, a nephrologist from the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) told Alin, who has a history of kidney stones, that his condition was critical and he had to undergo long-term treatment.

Alin has to stop working because of his condition. He needs three dialysis sessions weekly and each costs RM110.

Now, a Roman Catholic church chips in with RM50 for each of his treatment.

Since Alin is jobless, his wife, Piah Abong has become the breadwinner. The couple has three children, aged 14, six and two.

Alin and his family live in a squatter hut with no window or bed at Taman Sakura Indah, Desa Wira, Batu Kawa.

Yesterday, the media was invited by the Society of Kuching Urban Poor (SKUP) to highlight the family’s plight. Reporters had to walk precariously along a narrow concrete path leading to the door of Alin’s shack where they were greeted by Piah with a smile on her face.

The 38-year-old said her husband was receiving treatment at Cahaya Dialysis Centre in Tabuan Desa.

As a labourer, Alin used to earn about RM30 a day – and this too had to depend on weather conditions. Piah explained: “If the weather was bad, he did not bring home any money. Now that he is sick, I have to work in his place. Sometimes, my eldest daughter helps me.”

She said the family was very thankful that a church had been helping them out by paying RM50 per dialysis session for her husband.

“But we still have to come up with another RM60. I hope and pray good people will help us.”

The family appreciates the church’s contribution but RM720 is needed for Alin’s treatment every month.

Piah also showed the press a letter dated May 9 from the Nephrology Unit of SGH, informing her husband of possible treatment at Cahaya Dialysis Centre

According to her, SGH has no place for Alin because his condition is critical.

“We have to get him treated outside SGH,” she added.

Piah appeals to the public to donate into her CIMB account No. 1105-0053406-52-7. Her family’s household expenditure comes to RM800 a month.

Her neighbour, Nur Atikah Abdullah, who coordinates with SKUP to distribute food among the squatters in the area, said 27 families comprising over 130 individuals had been living there for about 20 years.

“We are not supplied with electricity or clean water. Worst of all, this place is flooded twice a year and only early this year, we were evacuated to the community hall in Stapok.”

Atikah said she had not met the elected representative in the area.

“Nobody seemed to care about us until 2009 when SKUP came to send us food,” the 32-year-old added.

For details or to donate, the public can call Alin at 010-9637891, Piah (016-8952790) or Atikah (013-5661042).

Desa Wira is located in Batu Kawa, a state seat under Stampin parliamentary constituency.

Batu Kawah has been a stronghold of SUPP until it was defeated by DAP in the 10th state election last April.

Christina Chew is now taking care of the community in Batu Kawah.

As for Stampin, its five-term MP Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, who is also Deputy Works Minister, has said he would not seek re-election in the 13th general elections.

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