For nearly three years, an elderly woman in Taman Wira Tehel has lived without electricity, quietly enduring daily hardships while caring for her two young grandchildren after her home’s power supply was disconnected due to unpaid utility bills.
Eighty-year-old Selemah Midon has been using only a small solar light to get through her days and nights, coping with the heat and few resources. Even though she is frail, she still does household chores by hand, including washing clothes, while making sure her three and six-year-old grandchildren are well cared for.
A difficult reality for an elderly caregiver
The family’s situation came to light following a visit by Kesidang assemblyman and Bemban state constituency DAP coordinator Alex Seah Shoo Chin, who described the living conditions as deeply troubling.
“It is particularly challenging for an elderly caregiver to care for young children without electricity,” Alex noted.
Image credit: NST
According to Alex, the lack of basic utilities has a direct impact on the children’s daily routines and comfort, highlighting the emotional and physical toll on the household.
Support brings a measure of relief
With public contributions and coordinated assistance, RM2,000 was raised to restore electricity to the home. Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) also agreed to allow the remaining arrears to be paid through instalments and committed to ongoing monitoring of the family’s welfare.
Image credit: Canva
Expressing her appreciation, Selemah said that while life had been difficult, she could not imagine being separated from her grandchildren.
“Caring for my grandchildren gives me strength, and I will continue to look after them for as long as I am able,” Selemah shared.
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