Like most parents, everything Aisha Othman does is for her seven-year-old daughter Paymitra Abdullah.

Along with her husband - Paymitra's father - they live at the Desa Rejang PPR (People's Public Housing) and survive on Aisha's husband monthly salary of RM1,500 as a security guard in Cheras.

However, Aisha said, the family has been saddled with utility bills and rent, along with her mother-in-law's backdated rent of close to RM5,000.

"After we settle the bills, then we can focus on what to eat.

"Usually, after we settle all the bills in a month, we have no more money," she said, adding that they normally can only afford groceries if her husband can find odd jobs.

One time, Aisha ate nothing but uncooked rice for three days as the family could only afford to buy bread, which they reserved for Paymitra.

"There is rice at home, so I only eat rice. Not rice but uncooked rice as well as ice cubes.

"I am afraid the cooking gas will run out (if I cook the rice).

"If I ever become too hungry, I will eat ice cubes," Aisha said.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/493176

"I am afraid the cooking gas will run out (if I cook the rice)."

I think the eating of uncooked rice is a fabrication with the intent to sensationalize the poverty issue in the press.