GEORGE TOWN: Twenty-one elderly inmates from a care home in Padang Serai, Kedah, were left outside the Malaysian Tamilar Kural office in Inderawasih, Prai, earlier today, sparking outrage.
According to M. Satees, adviser to the Malaysian Tamilar Kural Foundation, the inmates were brought to the office by the home's caretaker and several workers at 1pm.
He believes the abandonment occurred after the inmates, mostly senior citizens with some mentally challenged individuals, raised concerns over their mistreatment.
"During a visit to the home over the weekend, we witnessed several inmates being chained. We immediately took to social media to call attention to this inhumane treatment and demanded an explanation from the authorities, including the Health Ministry," he said.
To their shock, the home delivered the 21 inmates to the office today.
"How could they just abandon these vulnerable individuals here? This is utterly irresponsible," Satees told the New Straits Times.
He quickly contacted state officials, including Lim Siew Khim, chairman of the Social and Welfare Development Committee, and Daniel Gooi, chairman of the state Health Committee.
"Both sent officers to address the situation," he said.
"We are committed to ensuring the well-being of these inmates," he added.
Satees also said that Welfare Department officers were at their office to do the needful.
This is not the first time the home has faced scrutiny.
In April, a video surfaced showing a staff member allegedly abusing an elderly man at the same facility.
The disturbing footage captured a woman scolding and physically pushing the elderly man, followed by sounds of whipping and the man's screams of pain.
The incident was filmed by a bystander from outside the home, who called out to the staff in Tamil.