JERANTUT: Some 80 volunteers and multiple agencies transformed the home of a 75-year-old market vendor in Taman Koperasi, Jerantut, by removing nearly a tonne of litter in a clean-up operation.
State assemblyman Haris Salleh Hamzah led the six-hour initiative to help Halimah Mat Arop. She had been forced to sleep on her porch due to the overwhelming clutter of rubbish inside her house.
"The interior was completely inaccessible, with years of accumulated items blocking every pathway. Halimah had resorted to using a blanket as a makeshift curtain on her porch where she was sleeping," said Haris.
Firefighters, health officials and local council workers tackled not only the mountain of refuse inside the house but also cleared overgrown bushes around the property.
The operation brought together multiple agencies, including SWCorp, the Fire and Rescue Department, Social Welfare Department, Jerantut district council and district health office. They also addressed hygiene issues caused by numerous cats living on the premises.
"Working at the Jerantut Farmers' Market at my age leaves me with no energy to maintain the house," said Halimah, who has been receiving welfare support since 2021.