'I'm lazy, can sleep anywhere'

KOTA BHARU - "I'm lazy!" That is the honest confession of a man who chose to live as a homeless person for the past 20 years.

The elderly man, who only wanted to be known as Samad, 66, from Pasir Mas, admitted that he was not interested in working or finding a place to live because he had no commitments, including never being married.

"I have no children or wife, only myself. So, there is no need to think about renting or owning a house.

"I can sleep anywhere, I used to sleep in Bukit Marak during the MCO (Movement Control Order) during Covid-19," he said when met during an Integrated Operation to Curb Beggars and the Homeless here on Tuesday.

The operation was led by the Kota Bharu-Bandar Raya Islam Municipal Council (MPKB-BRI) Enforcement Division Head, Mohd Halimie Mat Salleh.

Samad who is the eldest of five siblings said that he had lost contact with his family for a long time because he did not want to trouble them, not to mention that each of them had their own families.

"I get JKM (Social Welfare Department) assistance of RM300 a month which is used to buy food and drinks.

"I will take a shower in the nearby mosques and sleep on a mat," he said.

Samad had beensleeping when the law enforcement team approached.

Samad added that he also moved from one place to another, including Pasir Mas and Bachok.