Vijayesri, a single mother from Malaysia, was injured after falling into an uncovered drain at a hawker center.
Following the accident, Tan Yang Pang, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Youth Deputy Chief, donated RM100 (approx. S$30) to help with her medical expenses.
Initially, Vijayesri accepted the donation out of good faith, but she soon became frustrated with how her situation was being used for political purposes.
Frustration Over Unfulfilled Promises
Mr. Tan allegedly promised to send medical staff to assist her, but the help never came. Vijayesri was also upset when videos of her injury were shared online, seemingly to make a political statement.
During a hospital visit, Berapit (Bukit Mertajam, Penang) Village Chief Lin Qixian said Vijayesri asked him to return the donation to Mr. Tan.
She added she did not want her suffering to be used for political gain.
Delayed Treatment Worsens Her Condition
Vijayesri, who has diabetes, saw her injury worsen due to delayed medical care. Oriental Daily reported that her wound became more serious since it wasn’t treated quickly.
On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, state assemblyperson Heng Lee Lee’s team learned about Vijayesri’s condition and arranged for medical help right away.
She was quickly sent to a hospital for treatment, preventing her condition from getting worse.
Had she not been treated soon, the medical team would have needed to scrape decayed tissue from her wound.
Village Chief Criticizes Political Exploitation
Mr. Lin spoke out against the political exploitation of Vijayesri’s situation.
He criticized Tan Yang Pang for failing to follow through on his promise to send medical personnel, while Heng Lee Lee’s team acted quickly to get her the care she needed.
He also expressed deep regret that some people would use the pain of a struggling single mother to gain political attention, according to China Press.
Donation Money Returned via e-Wallet
On Monday, April 7, 2025, Mr. Lin returned the donation money to Mr. Tan through an e-wallet transfer, Touch n Go.
She asked that the money be sent back to Tan Yang Pang and made it clear that she did not want her suffering to be used for political purposes.
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