KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran singer Zaiton Sameon, 67, has finally been approached by representatives of the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
Two officers from the Hulu Langat JKM office visited Zaiton at 8am yesterday and were briefed by the artiste on her financial difficulties which she highlighted to Harian Metro Online last Sunday.
"I want to thank the media for their kind help in publicising my plight. Thank God the JKM officers have assured me that they will assist as best as they can," said Zaiton, who has been living with her adopted daughter Sikah Ismail since 2010.
"I look forward to moving into my own People's Housing Project (PPR) unit in the Klang Valley," she said, adding that Sikah was supporting her by selling foodstuff in bazaars and expos.
Meanwhile, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry plans to give Zaiton RM500 monthly financial assistance.
Its deputy minister Aiman Athirah Sabu said in a Facebook post that they would help Zaiton with such payments next month or in November.
Last November, Zaiton was given an OKU Card, a registration of Persons with Disabilities by JKM.
It entitles her to a PPR home in the Klang Valley.
Unfortunately, she did not hear from them after 10 months.
Zaiton has not had singing engagements for sometime and had to halt her rendang business due to rising costs of ingredients.
She said that she desperately needed monthly financial aid from the department, as an underprivileged person with disabilities.
In 1990, Zaiton was involved in a tragic accident, at the height of her popularity.
The accident claimed the life of Zaiton's 13-year-old son, Azirwan Abu Bakar and seriously injured the singer, putting her in a coma for three months.
