The family that BN forgot

By Stephanie Sta Maria - Free Malaysia Today,

KERLING: Five weeks ago the Barisan Nasional contingent found itself in the sole Malay household in Indian-majority Ladang Kerling Batu Dua. It was the height of the Hulu Selangor campaign period and the area was part of P Kamalanathan's walkabout itinerary.

The BN candidate's walk was rudely cut short when Monan Mat Noor slammed him for previous unfulfilled party promises. Kamalanathan dedicated the next 20 minutes listening to her woes and pledging his assistance.
He promised her both welfare and household allowance, a benefit she had been seeking for the past 16 years. By the end of his visit, 51-year-old Monan had softened and agreed to vote for the ruling coalition “one last time”.
FMT visited Monan exactly one month after BN won the Hulu Selangor seat and found that her life had changed – for the worse. She and her family are relocating because they can't afford the rent any longer.
Monan had told the BN team back then that they may temporarily stay at her son's house in Bukit Beruntung while they looked for another home. But the relocation also means additional travel time and expenses to the rubber estates in Kerling where she works as a tapper.
“Since we haven't received any of the promised aid this will be another burden,” she sighed. “We didn't really think we would get the aid, judging from past experiences, but Kamalanathan seemed different so we gave him the benefit of the doubt. And we got duped again.”
She also expressed anger at the Umno group that told them that it had “come all the way from Sungai Petani to help you and promptly left without lifting a finger”.
“All we received from BN was RM200 and that TV,” she said, gesturing to a brand-new television set in the corner. “We won it in the lucky draw that was held the night before polling day. But that's not going to feed my family.”
'Please help us'
All 10 members of Monan's family voted for BN in the by-election. But come the next general election, half will not be casting their vote while the others will vote for the opposition.
Manon's 21-year-old daughter, who only wanted to be known as Ain, echoed her mother's hurt and disappointment.
“My parents are old and they still have to slave to make ends meet,” she said. “Last month, my mother only earned RM53. And I am very worried about my father who still has to work despite his ailments.”
Che Lin Lekor, 64, works in a plantation in Kampung Jawa, and according to Ain, he often trips over large roots and unruly shrubs and had to be confined to bed for a few days.
“When this happens, my brother has to skip school to work on his behalf,” Ain said. “Kamalanathan promised to send welfare forms for my father and personally see that he receives aid. I know that he is very busy but I appeal to him to please help us if he can.”
Kamalanathan had affirmed in an earlier interview with FMT that tackling poverty remains his top agenda and that he will do his utmost to fulfil his campaign promises.