A Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) veteran, Private Suria Mohamad Hassan and his family have been living under the Jalan Loke Yew Bridge in Kuala Lumpur for 2 years have now been relocated to a transit home at Flat Seri Johor.
The fate of his family had recently went viral on social media after MalaysiaGazette interviewed them.
According to Malaysia Gazette, Suria was a retiree who once joined the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force to Bosnia. He now receives a military pension of RM900 a month, but he has to settle the RM600 monthly instalment paid to loan sharks for taking up a loan for his fruit business.
It is reported that he previously lived in the Sri Sabah flats in Cheras with his in-laws. However, as the number of residents grew and at a point reached 13 people, he was forced to leave with his wife and children to live under the bridge.
Upon receiving information about him, the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Rina Harun, she managed to contact Suria and has attempted to to provide him assistance, which he had declined.
“Alhamdulillah, I was finally able to convince Suria and his family to move immediately to a temporary placement at a transit house in Flat Sri Johor,” she said.
At the same time, the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM), through the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the National Welfare Foundation (YKN) will be providing them assistance immediately, including food baskets for the family.
Rina said that the children will be given child assistance starting next month.
According to Bernama, Rina said, “The family, especially his children, need help as they are still in school. They must be given a place and education so that they will not be left behind.”
She added that she understands the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will take a week to finalise the housing matters, hence, they will be placed at the transit house for now.
She also mention that the family needs psychological support as they do not want Suria and his wife to give up on life and they hope their children will have a brighter future.
On Sunday (20 June), the Veteran Affairs Department of the armed forces (JHEV) had said that they will continue to monitor the development of their family until they found their home to stay in.
 veteran, Private Suria Mohamad Hassan and his family have been living under the Jalan Loke Yew Bridge in Kuala Lumpur for 2 years have now been relocated to a transit home at Flat Seri Johor.){kind=link}