Imagine living in a historic city like Melaka, surrounded by development, yet being completely cut off from basic human necessities. This is the harsh, heartbreaking reality for a local husband (64) and his wife (48). They are living on the absolute fringes of society, trapped in a cycle of extreme poverty, complex family disputes, and systemic neglect.

With nowhere left to turn, they have reached out with a final, desperate plea for rescue, hoping that someone—anyone—will finally see their suffering and step forward to save their lives.

Survival on Rainwater: Life Without Basic Utilities

The couple tied the knot in 2022 and moved into an inherited family property (a leasehold house). However, what was supposed to be a roof over their heads quickly turned into a living nightmare.

Since 2019—long before they even moved in—the house had its water and electricity supplies completely severed. For the past four years of their marriage, this elderly couple has had to rely entirely on rainwater for bathing, cleaning, and daily survival.

"Every time it rains, our hearts heavy with sorrow. While others see rain as a blessing, we see it as a desperate lifeline we must catch just to survive another day."

To make matters worse, the house is in a state of severe dilapidation. The roof leaks uncontrollably, and the structural integrity of the building poses an immediate danger to their safety. They are also trapped in a complicated, unresolved family inheritance dispute over the property, leaving them legally and physically vulnerable.

A Ray of Gratitude Amidst the Darkness

Amidst their immense suffering, the couple deeply emphasizes their profound gratitude to Tzu Chi. The 64-year-old husband is a recipient of their monthly food aid.

Without this monthly food ration from Tzu Chi, they openly admit they might not have survived. It has been the sole lifeline keeping starvation at bay, and they are endlessly thankful for it. However, while their hunger is temporarily addressed, their living conditions remain inhumane and unresolved.

When Help Turns into a Photo-Op

The couple’s frustration is deepened by the fact that authorities and political figures have visited the house before—but left without providing an ounce of help.

Representatives from a political party and officers from the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) previously arrived at the scene. However, instead of assessing the couple's plight, they only interviewed the oldest family member living on the property—an Intellectually Disabled (OKU Lembab) man.

The political entourage took photos with the disabled man, uploaded them to their respective Instagram accounts for public relations, and left immediately. No aid was given to the husband and wife. They were ignored in their own home.

An Unsafe Environment for the Wife

Adding a deeply distressing layer to their living situation, the couple shares the property with the aforementioned intellectually disabled relative. The couple claims that this individual frequently and deliberately exposes himself, walking around completely naked in the back garden whenever he knows the 48-year-old wife is working there. This has created an environment that is not only physically taxing but mentally agonizing and unsafe for her.

Met with Silence, Rejection, and False Accusations

The couple has spent months screaming into a void. They have tried contacting everyone they could think of:

  • Famous Malaysian TikTok influencers
  • Syarikat Air Melaka Berhad (SAMB) & Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)
  • Local DAP political leaders
  • The Women's Aid Organisation (WAO)
  • The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM)

They even took their plight to various Facebook community groups, hoping for grassroots support. Instead of empathy, a group member publicly labeled them as "scammers," crushing their spirits further. Aside from the food aid from Tzu Chi, no long-term solution or investigation into their living conditions has been initiated by any agency.

A Direct Appeal to Rescue Groups and Volunteers

The husband is elderly, frail, and unable to work. They have run out of options, platforms, and hope. They are not asking for internet fame; they are begging for rescue teams, independent NGOs, or humanitarian volunteers to come to their location in Melaka, witness their inhumane living conditions with their own eyes, and help them find a safe way out.

Please, do not let them remain invisible. If you are an independent volunteer group or an NGO capable of handling welfare, housing relocation, or legal aid in Melaka, please reach out.