By K. SUTHAKAR

GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA: The rising cost of living has forced three single mothers in Penang to find help to place six of their children in orphanages.

Last week, the three - two from the island and one from Butterworth - approached the Malaysia Hindu Sangam to find a home for their children.

"Each woman has between three and five children and each is sending two children to an orphanage to lighten her financial burden," the organisation's Penang branch Social and Welfare Committee head P. Murugiah told The Star yesterday.

He said one mother was jobless, another was earning RM350 a month doing odd jobs while the third earned RM600 a month as a factory worker.

Murugiah said some heads of hardcore poor families have also approached the association for help to place their parents in old folks home.

"They are having problems providing meals for their parents and taking care of their medical expenses," he said.

Murugiah said the hardcore poor have been severely affected by the recent hike in fuel and food prices.

Citing examples, he said the price of atta flour has increased from RM1.80 per kilo in December to RM2.80 while cooking oil (2kg bottle) has gone up from RM4.50 to RM6.20.

Murugiah said the price of dhal has increased from RM2.80 to RM4.60 per kilo while a brand of the cheapest milk powder has increased from RM9 in January to RM19.50.

He proposed that the state government open ration shops such as being practised in some countries to lighten the burden of the hardcore poor.

"The prices of food items sold in ration shops can be subsidised up to 80% by the government. Penang should set up such outlets in line with the Penang Leads tag," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy said the state would consider the proposal.

"It is a good suggestion but we will have to consider the financial implications.

"The state is already helping hardcore poor families by giving free rice. We are planning to give water rebates to this group and studying other means to help them," he said.