By Aida Aziz
IPOH: An elderly man known as Pak Din, who has been living under a bridge in Tanjung Rambutan for a long time, is set to receive assistance after concerns were raised by members of the public.
His situation is made more difficult as he has no identification card and no family members to care for him.
Following complaints about individuals living under the bridge, Ipoh City Council (MBI) Chief Whip Datuk Mazlan Abd Rahman promptly visited the site to assess the situation.
He said the presence of several individuals under the bridge had also caused discomfort among traders in the nearby Tanjung Rambutan Market area.
“During my inspection, I found that there were indeed people staying under the bridge. Four individuals were there when I arrived.
“Three of them said they only came there to rest, while another man, known as Pak Din and believed to be in his 60s, has been living there for a long time.
“More sadly, Pak Din does not have an identification card and has no family to look after him,” he said on Monday.
Mazlan said he would try to help Pak Din find more suitable and safer accommodation.
At the same time, he said he would discuss with MBI the belongings that had been placed under the bridge.
“Public areas should not be used to store belongings in a way that causes obstruction or blocks passage. The matter is also subject to Section 46 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133), which concerns obstructions in public places.
“We want this area to be clean, orderly and safe for everyone, but at the same time, we must also consider the welfare of those who have no place to live.
“God willing, I will try to find a good solution that is fair to both parties,” he added.
