What Made This 74-Year-Old Man Live 30 Years In A Jungle Near Wangsa Melawati?
A story of how amidst the rapid development in the national capital, the plight of an old man living in a patch of jungle is way too easily overlooked.
By Sadho Ram — 02 Jan 2015, 07:00 PM — Updated almost 10 years ago
This is Mohamad Dris, a 74-year-old unmarried man living in a patch of jungle in Wangsa Melawati for the past 30 year
In the picture above, Uncle Mohamad, as he is otherwise referred to, is seen sitting in front of his dilapidated hut which he built in the year 1980 using discarded planks and zinc. The now-rotting hut contains a wooden bunk he made himself, covered with a mat for him to sleep on.
Uncle Mohamad said he did not like to seek sympathy from others but tried to continue his life alone. In fact, he had never enjoyed facilities such as electricity and water since staying at the hut.
His hut was discovered by Wangsa Maju police station. As per its Deputy Chief Sergeant Jasman Aris, police found the old man while conducting Operation "Santa" on Christmas eve.
"We received complaints from local residents about a hut in a small jungle behind the Damaisari Housing, Desa Melawati.
They were worried the hut could be used as a den for criminal activities.
Narrating the experience, Jasman said they raided the hut at 1am
Their arrival was greeted by the sounds of dogs barking.
Then a weak old man wearing a worn out sarong and shirtless emerged from the hut.
"We felt sad looking at the old man's situation."
A policeman quickly bought food and he shed tears as he was overwhelmed by the gesture.
"He then broke into a smile and said he could not eat rice and consume sweet drinks as he had diabetes," he said.
Jasman said the old man beamed and happily accepted when a policeman bought him bread and mineral water.
"We take turns sending bread and water to Uncle Mohamad as we sympathise with his condition, pending welfare aid," he said
He said the Wangsa Maju Police Station had notified the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council Baitulmal, and endeavoured to find a more comfortable home for him.
"We, at the Wangsa Maju Police Station, hope Uncle Mohamad gets support and aid from Baitulmal and surrounding residents to change his future," he said.
So what made Uncle Mohamad live 30 years along in a jungle?
Uncle Mohamad said he lived alone in the jungle, behind the Damaisari housing area, as he could not afford to rent a house after losing his rubber tapping job in the area, which was originally a rubber plantation.
Amidst the rapid development, while the plight of Uncle Mohamad living in a patch of jungle was easily overlooked, his life is definitely changing for the better since the police stumbled upon him
The path leading into the patch of jungle in Wangsa Melawati where Uncle Mohamad lives.
Image via teara.govt.nz"I want to thank the policemen at the police station for sending food every day to me."
"Now, I don’t have to worry where my next meal will be coming from."
"I am overwhelmed at the concern they showed me. I have no intention of imposing on them,” he added.