Man Makes His House Float With 69 Plastic Barrels After Getting Tired Of Floods Every Year
The senior citizen called his project 'Rumahku, Rakitku'.
Tired of disaster when it rains heavily every year, a 67-year-old man in Terengganu spent seven months preparing his house to float to protect his family and their belongings
According to Bernama, A Bakar Che Ahmad, fondly known as Pokwe, fixed 69 plastic barrels and 54 wooden boards under his home and saw his labour come to fruition when the floods hit his neighbourhood in Kampung Terbak Batu, Chukai, heavy last week.
The senior citizen has his work proudly shared on TikTok, where people saw his 70sqft wide and 19ft tall wooden home floating safely above the water.
He called his project 'Rumahku, Rakitku'.
Image via @jimat_fishing2 (TikTok)
Pokwe said he was inspired to fortify his house after he successfully saved his chickens by building a floating chicken coop in 2019
Although he took many factors into account, such as strong currents caused by the floodwater, the retired toolsmith admitted that he did not know if his much larger house would float until the floods struck.
According to the TikTok, it was said the senior citizen was made fun of by some neighbours when he was busy installing the plastic barrels under his house in preparation for the floods.
Image via China Press
Image via Afifitri Muhammad/Bernama
In the now viral TikTok that has over three million views, the proud homeowner can be seen enjoying the comfort of his dry surroundings
"Alhamdulillhah, the houseboat was able to float," said a caption in the video. It also showed that Pokwe was also able to save his motorcycle from the water.
Sinar Harian reported that the local spent up to RM47,000 to flood-proof his home, and was assisted by his seven children.
The floating house has five bedrooms, where Pokwe lives with two of his children and his wife.
They completed proofing the house in September this year, just in time for the monsoon season.
Image via Afifitri Muhammad/Bernama
Image via Afifitri Muhammad/Bernama
Watch the TikTok of Pokwe's floating home here:
As of Monday, 19 December, the floods have displaced thousands of families from their homes:
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