ALOR SETAR — The plight of former Kedah footballer of the 90s, Abdul Rahman Tasu, who suffered from a stroke, is still very much in the public eye and now gets help from various parties.
His wife Asmanida Ismail, 45, said her 61-year-old husband was seen to be gradually recovering and more enthusiastic than before, much so when friends whom he played alongside in the ‘Hijau Kuning’ team of decades ago visit him with unending offers of help.
“Alhamdulillah, since our story was publicised, many people have come to donate money to the extent that some offer to repair the roof of the house… we are able to live comfortably and finance the cost of my husband’s medical treatment.
“Before this, he was always lethargic and wearing an unhappy look, lacking enthusiasm because he was wallowing after suffering a fourth stroke since September 16 last year,” she said at their home in Pekan Langgar here today.
Earlier, the couple received a visit from the State Consumerism, Cost of Living, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Muhammad Radhi Mat Din, who is a former player, and Bukit Pinang assemblyman Datuk Wan Romani Wan Salim.
Also present to lend a helping hand was the general manager of Econsave North Division, Zamzuri Mansor through the ‘Econsave Prihatin’ programme which delivered donations of electrical goods, disposable diapers and food items worth RM1,500.
Muhammad Radhi said his committee will also see what other needs can be channelled such as business utensils to enable Abdul Rahman’s wife to generate an income.
“His wife previously had to quit her job to focus fully on looking after Abdul Rahman. She stated her wish to start a small business at home to cover their daily expenses.
“We will also look at their other needs from time to time and thanks to Econsave which came to offer help through their corporate social responsibility programme,” he said.
Meanwhile, assemblyman Wan Romani also informed that his state constituency will prepare a special provision to redo the electrical wiring in the couple’s rented home which is now dilapidated and fearfully unsafe.
Previously, the media reported that Abdul Rahman, who was a striker with the Canaries squad, is now confined to a wheelchair and needs to be taken care of by his wife all the time.
He was one of the players in the Kedah football team when they won the Malaysia Cup for the first time beating Singapore (3-1) in the 1990 final, in addition to helping the Sukma Kedah football team win gold at the first edition of the Malaysia Games in 1986. — February 1, 2024