Sim Lends Helping Hand To Visually Impaired Street Musician

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Bukit Mertajam member of parliament Steven Sim Chee Keong is helping visually impaired street musician Robert Maidin raise funds for his cancer-stricken wife's medical expenses through music.

Sim said he was moved by Robert's determination to support his wife, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer that has spread to her lungs, and wants to help him continue earning through his musical talent.

The initiative, organised with the Bukit Mertajam Hock Teck Cheng Sin Association, will culminate in the “Strums for Love” Fundraising Concert on Sept 6 at 7.30 pm at the Jit Sin Independent High School, with Robert performing.

Tickets are priced at RM200, with all proceeds channelled to Robert. Public ticket sales and donations opened today, while those unable to attend the concert can contribute through the organisers or the Steven Sim Bukit Mertajam Service Centre.

Robert has been visually impaired since childhood and has relied on music as his livelihood for many years. His family's financial burden increased after his wife's chemotherapy was expanded from seven to 20 rounds, with some medication costing RM5,000 to RM6,000 per treatment.

Sim said he hoped the initiative would provide the family with greater strength and hope while allowing Robert to earn with dignity rather than depend solely on public donations.

"Robert is using the music he knows and loves best to fight for his wife. We hope that, through a little support from each of us, we can give this family greater strength and hope, I sincerely invite everyone to come and listen to Robert play, and together, let us play for love," Sim added.

-- BERNAMA