UPDATE: i managed to talk to MCA Service Center and was introduced to Ms Ivy Choong of the Ipoh Love and Care Society, a well-known NGO in Ipoh.

According to her, the application for SOCSO is under progress, but the amount won’t be much. The society is in process of getting Ipoh GH to fund the operation. Since after introducing this problem to MCA, MCA has pledged to pay for the childrens education up to graduates, the only concern is living expenses. Mrs Bahlan is in advanced stage of breast cancer and needs to undergo operation and rounds of chemotheraphy. While the parents are at hospital, the children will be temporarily homed at a care center, under the watchful eyes of the society. According to Ms Ivy, the kids are well mannered and well brought up. The eldest girl is sitting for PMR, and all of them are studying well.

The family is currently living in a house (occupying one of the rooms). In such dilapitated conditions, the family still strive to live and take care of themselves well. They also don’t have proper meals, only eating once a day. I was sad after hearing this.

It is hoped that after surgery, Mr Bahlan is able to join back the workforce, however, as with all kinds of operations involving spine, there is always an element of risk.

The society has also got Bersamamu TV3 to come and visit the family. Expected to air in August. So far, the society had got 6 families highlighted in Bersamamu TV3.

A trust fund is planned to help the family with living expenses, since education is taken care of MCA. For those interested to contribute: Can do the following:

Cheque can be addressed to Ipoh Love and Care Society. Address is 43A, 1st Floor, Jalan Tokong, 31650 Ipoh. Phone: 05-2559933 (Ms Ivy Choong). Please write “Bahlan Packiry Fund” at the back of the cheque.

Or can send crossed cheques made payable to the “Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau”, with Bahlan’s name written on the back. Cheques should be sent to the Perak MCA headquarters at 90-92 Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh.

IPOH: When it rains, it pours. The adage rings true for former sawmill worker P. Bahlan. 

Besides being diagnosed with a prolapsed disc and a pinched nerve which cause numbness and weakness in his limbs, Bahlan’s 48-year-old wife P. Meerah also suffers from advanced stage breast cancer. 

Bahlan’s problem started in 2004 after an industrial accident at his Menglembu workplace.  

A plank fell on him and hit his back, resulting in the spinal injury. 

“My condition was confirmed by the Ipoh Hospital in 2005 after an X-ray.  

“However, I have to delay the operation costing some RM7,000 to correct my condition because I have no money,” said the father of three schoolgirls. 

He added that he stopped working in December 2005 when his condition worsened. 

The family has been depending on the goodwill of family members and friends for their monthly expenses, which amount to some RM800. 

Bahlan said he collected recyclable materials whenever he could, although he had difficulties in walking. 

“I can get about RM100 a month from selling them,” he added. 

Perak MCA chairman Datuk Ong Ka Chuan, who visited the family on Wednesday with other party leaders, pledged to adopt the couple’s three children and pay for their educational needs.  

Perak MCA also donated RM5,000 to the family. 

Those who wish to donate can send crossed cheques made payable to the “Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau”, with Bahlan’s name written on the back. 

Cheques should be sent to the Perak MCA headquarters at 90-92 Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh.  

For enquiries, call 05-253 6981 or 05-253 8455

Ong (seated right) and other MCA leaders visiting Bahlan (seated centre) and his wife Meerah at their home in Menglembu on Wednesday.