KUCHING: A 59-year-old homeless man, identified as Rantai Anak Sagai from Sarikei, has been living on the streets at Taman Riverview in Pending for nearly a month before receiving assistance to return to his hometown.
Milton Foo from the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau responded to a public report and visited the man, who was found sleeping at the five foot way.
Foo said Rantai was previously working at a welding company in Kuching but is now unemployed.
“He told me he has four children aged between 20 and 30, but he has lost contact with them and could not recall their phone numbers,” said Foo.
Based on their conversation, Foo suspects Rantai may be suffering from memory loss, similar to a past case involving a woman in Kenyalang Park.
Though Rantai appeared physically fit aside from a limp caused by leg pain or injury, he refused an offer to be taken to a hospital or clinic. He did, however, show medication he previously received from Klinik Kesihatan Sarikei and mentioned experiencing occasional pain on the left side of his head.
When asked what help he needed, Rantai simply said he wanted to return to Sarikei but had no money.
Foo then purchased a bus ticket for him online, scheduled for departure at 10.00 am the following day.
Kapitan Chung Chong also assisted by arranging transport to bring Rantai from Taman Riverview to Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal.
Before parting ways, Foo and his team treated Rantai to a meal of mee kolok for breakfast and packed chicken fried rice for his lunch, as he had not eaten in two days.
Some cash tokens were also handed to him.
Foo wished Rantai a safe journey home and hope he will be reunited with his loved ones.
By Connie Chieng