GEORGE TOWN: Bukit Mertajam member of parliament Steven Sim Chee Keong is still doing what he does best, helping those in need, a day after being sworn in as the Deputy Finance Minister.
Taking to his social media page today, Sim said after the swearing in ceremony on Saturday, he received a message from a 57-year-old hawker in Bukit Mertajam, who had not been able to pay his house rent for the past six months.
"Uncle Chan has three school-going children. Although he needed to undergo dialysis three times a week, he is still working hard to sell wantan mee, working from 7am until 7pm just to put food on the table for his beloved family.
"Unfortunately, his business has not been good. At times, he received less than 10 orders a day.
"Today, I returned to Bukit Mertajam to seek my mother's blessing before I start work at the Finance Ministry in Putrajaya tomorrow.
"There, I took the opportunity to pay Uncle Chan a visit at his stall," he said.
Sim said he was told by the hawker that he was having a hard time — suffering from kidney problem, defaulting on his rental for six months and his business had deteriorated in the past two to three years.
He said the hawker also told him his worries about his children's future.
"As a father, I understand what he is going through. For his children, no matter how hard it is, he will do whatever it takes.
"I told Uncle Chan not to worry. I will help settle his six month rental arrears. I also gave him RM1,000 for his daily expenses.
"He also told me that his business at the existing spot has not been good. I will look for a better location for him.
"Despite his poor health, he is willing to work hard. I will help in whatever way possible," he added.
Sim also vowed that in his new role as the Deputy Finance Minister, he would help the Finance Minister to further develop the economy.
"I will protect the rights of the people so that those like Uncle Chan will have a better life," he said.