GEORGE TOWN: Zakat Pulau Pinang (ZPP) today confirmed that it has been providing monthly assistance to Rosliza Hassan and her 10 children since 2011.
ZPP chief executive officer Amran Hazali said, apart from RM500 financial aid, the family also receives RM200 in food aid every month.
"ZPP also regularly reviews the amount of tithes given based on current needs. To assist her school-going children and ensure that they do not drop out of school, ZPP provides early school assistance to them.
"During Ramadan, ZPP also provides special assistance in the form of cash and food hampers to the deserving. Rosliza's family is in the list of yearly recipients," he said.
Yesterday, several photos of Rosliza and her children were shared by Bukit Mertajam member of parliament Steven Sim Chee Keong on his Facebook page, claiming that the family of 11 were evicted from their home after they failed to pay rent.
He had said he was alerted to the family's plight early yesterday morning and went to check on them.
He had also said, when he reached the house of the woman whom he knew only as Ros, her things were already packed up and she was sitting outside, not knowing what to do.
"(When I reached the house) the woman was crying outside, thinking of her family's fate. I then assured her that before the sun sets today (yesterday), I will have a place for her to move into," he had said.
Rosliza later explained that the landlord had given her notice to move out by 7am yesterday as the house had been sold. However, she had nowhere to go.
Meanwhile, Amran said ZPP learnt that Rosliza is now undergoing emotional trauma as her plight has been made public.
"She has also asked not to be disturbed for now. We will give her the much-needed privacy and will consider what other assistance we can give to her," he added.
A spokesman from the Welfare Department said they would also see what form of assistance can be rendered to the family.
"We have not been able to meet Rosliza just yet. When we do, we will see how we can assist her, especially her young children, the youngest being aged only 3."