KUALA LUMPUR: A couple and their four children had to sleep on public benches in the city since the past two weeks, after they were kicked out of their rented house.
The family, including four siblings aged between 5 and 10, was found sleeping near the Medan Pasar clock tower here about 1.30am this morning by a group of social work volunteers.
Social Problem Intervention Committee (Unggas) volunteer Kamaruddin Kassim said three of the children were sleeping on two concrete benches while another was on the floor, with only old newspapers as their 'bedsheet'.
He said the children's mother had told volunteers that they were ordered to vacate their house somewhere in the city, two weeks ago after failing to settle their rent.
"Since then, the family have had to seek 'shelter' at public places.
"We are working to get assistance for them, including getting our volunteers from the medical field to check on the kids' health.
"The children seemed fine physically... but we are worried about their mental health and development if they continue to live in such conditions," he said, adding that the children had also dropped out of school.
However, Kamaruddin said the committee did not manage to gather much information during their charity program this morning, as the family left after having breakfast before they could be interviewed.
"Our volunteers are looking for the family, and hopefully we can find them again tonight so that we can channel proper assistance to them."
-NST Online
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