Single mum gets own home after 17 years – thanks to Johor Sultan

By: Patrick Beech

A mother from Johor Bahru, who waited for about 17 years to have her own home had her wish come true when she received a refurbished house recently.

The house was a gift to the 54-year-old mother under the royal patronage of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

S. Poongkodi, a single mother, supports her family working as a school bus driver. Her husband died on Feb 4, 2006 in a road accident while on his way to work in Pasir Gudang, Johor.

Following his demise, she and her two children, moved into her mother's house.

"Our old house in Jalan Kelapa Sawit was dilapidated and I could not afford to repair or rebuild it as I was supporting two children in higher education studies.

"However, the dream for me and my two children to return to our old home has come true with the blessing of His Highness the Sultan of Johor," she told the Royal Press Office according to a posting on the Sultan's Facebook.

She was immensely grateful for the assistance provided by the volunteers of Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor (YSIJ).

"I highly appreciate the generosity of your gift. I will not forget Tuanku's kind contribution until the end of my days," she said at the house key handover ceremony.