Mum and daughter get temporary shelter opposite flat they used to live in

It’s home for now: Rokiah and Nur Asyikin moving their belongings to the Chinese

association building where they are offered temporary shelter.

 PETALING JAYA: The mother and daughter who have been living on the streets for the past two weeks have been offered a temporary shelter just across the road from the flat they used to live in.

Single mother Rokiah Husin, 32, and her 13-year-old daughter, who only wants to be known as Nur Asyikin, have shifted their belongings into a small storeroom at a Chinese association building, which offered to let them stay there for about a week until they find a permanent home.

“They said I could stay here temporarily as the room was not being used,” said the grateful mother yesterday, adding that she was still hoping for the Welfare Department to assist her in getting a low-cost flat.

Rokiah and her daughter have been homeless for the past two weeks after being forced out of their flat for failing to pay rent.

They had been living under an umbrella, surrounded by furniture and boxes, outside the flat in Setapak.

Rokiah had been caring for her son, eight, and two adopted children before they were forced out.

Her relatives have taken in the other children temporarily, while Nur Asyikin stayed on with her mother.

Rokiah said the Welfare Department had on Friday tried to take Nur Asyikin into their custody but the girl had refused to leave her mother's side.

Rokiah, who used to do odd jobs selling diapers and clothes while babysitting children, hopes to get a business licence to ensure a stable income and to care for her children.

Despite struggling to make ends meet, Rokiah had earlier taken in two children from other single mothers who could not afford to care for their own kids.

Meanwhile, messages have poured in from Good Samaritans offering financial help for the duo after their plight was highlighted in The Star yesterday.