Single mum given food aid cyber-bullied over picture of cars, house

PETALING JAYA (April 2): A woman who was photographed receiving aid from the government with two cars and a double-storey terrace house in the background has denied claims on social media that her family does not deserve help, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported today.

The report said a Facebook user had posted the photo of Nor Aziah Yahaya taking delivery of food items from a representative of Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin, as part of the government’s aid throughout the COVID-19 movement control order.

“Why are essential goods obviously meant for the poor being distributed to the affluent?” asked Veera Pandiyan Manickam, whose post was followed by comments from Facebook users accusing the authorities of abusing the stimulus aid.

But Nor Aziah, 46, whose husband Syed Shahfuddin Syed Zainal Abidin died last January, said she was saddened by the cyber-bullying and accusations.

The mother of four told FMT that the two vehicles in the picture belonged to her late husband, and are being auctioned off pending a court order.

She also said that she and her children live in a rented house, and that since losing her husband, she had been making ends meet by running an online business which was badly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“When the picture went viral, many did not know the true story and condemned me.

“The two vehicles belonged to my late husband. The road tax and insurance policies have expired. I am still waiting for a letter of administration from the court to sell the vehicles so that I can pay off my debts including outstanding rentals,” said Nor Aziah, who was pictured at a UiTM convocation ceremony in October to represent her husband who had received a Masters degree.

FMT quoting Nor Aziah said this was the first time she had received welfare aid since her husband’s death.

“Ampang MP Zuraida’s officer came to us last week after I was put on the list of single mothers and zakat recipients. We were given a bag of rice and other items,” she said.

Nor Aziah added that she had not asked for assistance, but had no choice as she was worried about her children’s welfare.

Three of her four children are still at school, and one is studying at a university.

“I did not become rich through a bag of rice, I accepted it because my children need to eat,” she said.

Stay calm. Stay at home. Keep updated on the latest news at www.EdgeProp.my. #stayathome #flattenthecurve

Click here to see residential properties for sale in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Click here for more property stories.