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videos.engagemedia.org/.../homeless_beca_man-mp4.webm

  • 0:59 - 1:01
    My name is Muniandy
  • 1:01 - 1:03
    I was born in Changlun, Kedah.
  • 1:03 - 1:07
    I moved to Pulau Pinang at around 1962.
  • 1:07 - 1:09
    I started being a beca (rickshaw) rider since 1971.
  • 1:10 - 1:13
    My mother remarried to a Chinese man.
  • 1:14 - 1:21
    So since very young, I was left at the Welfare Department.
  • 1:21 - 1:25
    At that time, I was only 7 years old.
  • 1:35 - 1:38
    I have 3 siblings.
  • 1:38 - 1:43
    I don't know where they all are now.
  • 1:43 - 1:46
    I moved back to Changlun.
  • 1:46 - 1:49
    Now, in Changlun, there are so many changes.
  • 1:51 - 1:56
    Though my family is quite big, I don't know where they all are now.
  • 1:58 - 2:04
    My daily revenue can only reach between RM10 to RM15 (USD 3-5).
  • 2:04 - 2:07
    With this I have to manage my life.
  • 2:07 - 2:09
    I don't have any other options.
  • 2:12 - 2:18
    During holiday seasons, I can get between RM40 to RM50 a day (USD 12-15).
  • 2:19 - 2:26
    On Fridays and Saturdays, I usually make less money.
  • 2:32 - 2:40
    I felt that the government should help poor and powerless people.
  • 2:40 - 2:45
    The government doesn't do anything.
  • 2:46 - 2:54
    It only wants to help rich people.
  • 3:01 - 3:05
    I've rode the beca since 1971 (42 years).
  • 3:09 - 3:15
    The Welfare Department gives me RM300 (USD 94) per month.
  • 3:20 - 3:24
    I shower at the gas station nearby.
  • 3:26 - 3:33
    I sleep at a Caltex petrol station.
  • 3:34 - 3:37
    I don't have a home.
  • 3:38 - 3:44
    I'm woken up by the owner of these stalls at 5am.
  • 3:44 - 3:50
    I wait at this site until 6.30am, then I go to the beca poll station.
  • 3:51 - 3:58
    Only after 9.30am will there be beca customers.
  • 3:58 - 4:03
    For one way, the beca will cost RM10 (USD 3).
  • 4:03 - 4:12
    That's the standard for going to nearby places.
  • 4:15 - 4:19
    My daily revenue is not so regular.
  • 4:21 - 4:28
    I have more customers during holiday seasons, that's when I make some money.
  • 4:29 - 4:32
    Sometimes I get customers, sometimes I don't get any.
  • 4:32 - 4:37
    On some days I get one, and sometimes I don't get any for three days.
  • 4:37 - 4:42
    Now, the government gives RM20 (USD 6) weekly to every beca driver.
Title:
Video Language:
Tamil
Team:
EngageMedia

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