Johor women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail (right) speaking to Ramlah Kasiran, 56, at their house in Taman Cendana, Pasir Gudang.
JOHOR BARU: All cases of drunk driving, especially those resulting in fatalities, must face the full force of the law, says Johor Exco member Khairin-Nisa Ismail.
The Johor women, family and community development committee chairman referred to a recent incident where a husband and wife were tragically killed by a car.
The victims, Mohd Ridzwan Mohd Rudi, 37, and Linda Mohd A. Aziz, 35, died on Saturday (Nov 16) when a driver, allegedly intoxicated, hit them at the intersection of Jalan Besar and Jalan Masjid in Pasir Gudang.
"This is the worst-case scenario for the victims' family—parents losing their children, and children becoming orphans instantly.
"I hope the authorities will take cases like this more seriously moving forward," she said during a visit to the victims' family in Taman Cendana on Tuesday (Nov 19).
Khairin-Nisa shared that the state government, through the Welfare Department, provided RM300 in emergency aid on the day of the incident.
"The late mother of the children was a recipient of Child Aid from the Welfare Department, receiving RM800 per month, and this support will continue.
"However, we need to hold a case conference to determine how else we can assist the family. The grandmother is already caring for four other adopted children, and their home is no longer suitable for so many children.
"One of the deceased’s children, aged three, will be sent to a nearby Jauhar Childcare Centre, and we will seek assistance from the Johor Islamic Religious Council to cover the monthly fees," she explained.
Meanwhile, Mohd Ridzwan’s mother, Ramlah Kasiran, 56, said she learned about the incident when a member of the public came to their house at 4.30am.
"We only saw the deceased after the post-mortem process. The burial was held after the zohor prayer at the Cahaya Masai Muslim Cemetery.
"My only hope is for justice to be served so that my son, his wife, and their children get the justice they deserve," she said.
The accident left the couple’s five children—Nur Aleesha Aindah Abdullah, 17 (with learning disabilities), Muhammad Ikmal Danish, 15, Nur Shahkira Mohd Ridzwan, 14, Nur Shahmira Mohd Ridzwan, 12, and Nur Aisyah Humairah Mohd Ridzwan, 3—without parents.
Ramlah added that her main concern now is providing for her grandchildren’s daily needs, especially with the school term starting next year.
"The youngest, who is three, still relies on powdered milk and diapers.
"I also have four other adopted children aged between six and 11, so with my grandchildren, I am now caring for nine children at home," she said.
When asked if she would consider moving to a larger house for her growing family, Ramlah said her priority is meeting the children’s needs.
"For now, I’m in good health, but my husband is not. He suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. Although he works, his income is uncertain.
"I don’t want to move because we can’t afford to pay rent. We rely entirely on my husband’s salary," she explained, adding that they currently pay RM100 a month for their public housing unit in Taman Cendana.
Ramlah’s husband, Mohd Rudi Abdul Rahman, 60, said he earns around RM2,600 working part-time as a driver in the oil and gas industry in Pasir Gudang.
"So far, we’ve been managing, thanks to the many agencies that have come forward to help. I am deeply grateful for all the assistance we’ve received.
"However, I am saddened by an irresponsible individual who has taken advantage of our situation by creating a fake fundraising campaign claiming to help us.
"We never agreed to set up any fund, and I urge whoever is behind this to stop," he said.
Earlier, a husband and wife were killed after their motorcycle was run over by a vehicle, driven by a man under the influence of alcohol.
Seri Alam OCPD Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the collision occurred at approximately 4am on Nov 16 at the intersection of Jalan Besar and Jalan Masjid.
