| Sad State For Pupil's Family |
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SUNGAI PETANI, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Fun and games with friends are a distant memory for Mohd Ikmal Hikal Mohd Yaman.
The nine-year-old now has other responsibilities to shoulder as he helps his mother collect nipah leaves for their source of income.
For one so young, the Year Three pupil from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Muda, does not complain and dutifully rips off nipah leaves daily to make rokok daun (cigarettes) for sale.
When met, Mohd Ikmal said this has been his daily routine after school since his father, Mohd Yaman, 36, was jaied for two years for drug abuse.
It was then that his mother, Rozita Yaakob, 32, took them to live with their maternal grandmother in Kampung Masjid, Kuala Muda, here.
Rozita said she and Mohd Ikmal could produce at least 200 bundles of cigarettes a week, earning an income of RM25.
"I use this money for food and Mohd Ikmal's school expenses," she said, adding that she had two other children, Mohd Danial Haikal, 6, and Nor Alia Nor Ain, 3.
The family's plight caught the attention of Puteri Umno vice-chief Shahanim Mohd Yusof who visited them yesterday.
She said the Sungai Petani division Puteri Umno would help find a way to lessen the family's burden.
The Kuala Muda Social Welfare Department, when contacted, said they have approved a monthly aid of RM300 for the family starting next month.
-- BERNAMA
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