An elderly man who had reportedly been living at a bus stop outside the Greentown Health Clinic for more than a week has been taken to hospital for further medical assessment and health evaluation.
Perak executive councillor for Women, Family, Community Development, Entrepreneurial Development and Cooperatives Datuk Salbiah Mohamed said immediate action was taken after receiving information about the man’s condition, which had gone viral on social media.
She said the elderly man was found in an unkempt condition, with his clothes and body soiled with faeces, and appeared to require urgent assistance and attention.
“I instructed the Perak Social Welfare Department (JKM), through the Kinta District Social Welfare Office (PKMD), to immediately go to the location and take appropriate action,” she said in a statement on Sunday.
With assistance from police, the man was eventually brought to the Kinta PKMD office despite initially refusing to cooperate. He was then cleaned up and provided with suitable clothing, food and other basic necessities.
The elderly man was subsequently taken to hospital for further examination to assess his health and determine the appropriate form of assistance required.
Salbiah expressed her appreciation to Perak JKM director Ismail, as well as JKM personnel, the Royal Malaysia Police and members of the public who helped manage the situation.
She stressed that cases involving vulnerable members of society should not be regarded as the responsibility of JKM alone, saying the welfare of the community requires collective effort.
She also thanked members of the public who raised the alarm and provided information, noting that a single report and timely intervention could make a significant difference to someone’s life.
Salbiah said the welfare of the elderly man would continue to be monitored, with further action to be taken according to his needs.
