13/01/2026

TUESDAY | JAN 13, 2026

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NGO provides shelter for homeless

o Food4U offers food distribution, pathways to recovery and family reunification

possible, family reunification. The organisation has recently come into the spotlight for helping foreign nationals in distress. In one notable case, Food4U rescued an Indian man after a video of him being kicked and hosed with water outside a bank was widely shared online. Disturbed by the footage, Lian went on foot searching for him along shop lots in Taman Maluri, Cheras finding him and offering shelter. The man, identified as Safiudween, had lost his job as a waiter and had nowhere to turn. With Food4U’s support, he was reunited with his family in Tamil Nadu through coordination with the Indian High Commission. Last Christmas, Food4U also assisted an Indonesian woman who had lost her leg and was discharged from hospital with nowhere to go. The organisation provided shelter and worked closely with the Indonesian High Commission to arrange her safe repatriation, with officials escorting her home last Wednesday. On Friday, the group found a homeless Japanese man with a severe foot wound.

He was admitted to The Sanctuary One, Food4U’s men’s shelter, where he received medical care and meals. Doctors later advised that amputation might be necessary and the organisation is coordinating with the Japanese High Commission and Hospital Sungai Buloh for further treatment. Food4U has also assisted three Malaysians in recent weeks, rescuing them from the streets and the Kuala Lumpur Hospital. They are now receiving shelter, food and medical support at The Sanctuary One. Currently, The Sanctuary One houses 15 male residents, while The Sanctuary Two, designated for women, shelters six residents. Both facilities offer a safe environment for recovery and rehabilitation. “Walking the streets, reaching out and touching the hearts of the homeless not only brings joy to them, but also a deep sense of fulfilment to all of us involved,” said Lian. Food4U’s work exemplifies how compassion, persistence and personal commitment can transform lives, proving that sometimes, a helping hand can lead to a second chance at life.

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: What started as humble street outreach has since grown into life-altering interventions for some of Kuala Lumpur’s most vulnerable. Non-profit organisation Food4U, founded by Tony Lian, affectionately known as “Uncle Tony”, continues its mission to provide shelter, medical care and dignity to local and foreign homeless individuals. Lian, a pensioner in his 70s, has spent the past 11 years serving underprivileged communities across the city. Guided by the belief that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”, he has expanded Food4U’s work beyond food distribution, offering pathways to recovery and, where

With Food4U’s support, Safiudween (left) was reunited with his family in Tamil Nadu through coordination with the Indian High Commission. – PIC COURTESY OF LIAN

Legacy of Bung Moktar honoured by villagers KINABATANGAN: Basic facilities now provided at Pulau Tanjung Aru, including a concrete bridge, 24-hour electricity and clean water, are among the most significant changes in the island community’s lives, locals said. They said the facilities are a testament to the service and legacy of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who served Kinabatangan for over two decades. “Before, we only had a wooden bridge and the electricity would go off at 12.30am. Now, electricity is available 24 hours and the water supply is reliable. We used to fetch water from the waterfall at 5am.” He said he is deeply touched by the late Kinabatangan MP and former Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman’s care for Pulau Tanjung Aru’s 2,000-plus residents. As a fisherman earning between RM1,000 and RM3,000 a month, Sulaiman said past aid had greatly impacted the island community’s daily life, Bernama reported. Resident Abdul Samad Hamad, 76, also noted the island’s transformation, saying the provision of clean water and round-the-clock electricity are among Bung Moktar’s greatest contributions to the community.

a traditional fishing village, not a tourist spot. Located 5.5km from Sandakan and reachable only by boat, the village is home to Sabah’s Brunei ethnic minority. Bung Moktar, who was Kinabatangan MP since 1999 and Lamag assemblyman, died at 66 years old on Dec 5 last year. The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election will see a three-way contest between Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan) and Goldam Hamid (Independent), while the Lamag state by-election features a straight fight between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan).

go into town (Sandakan) for water. Now, it is available the moment you wake up.” Many Pulau Tanjung Aru residents expressed hope that Bung Moktar’s legacy of service and people-first leadership would continue through his son Mohd Kurniawan Naim, who is contesting the Kinabatangan by-election as BN candidate. “My hope is that they follow his ways. Do not favour the rich over the poor, and help anyone in need. That is what we expect from the successor,” said Abdul Samad. Although sharing a name with Kota Kinabalu’s Tanjung Aru resort, Pulau Tanjung Aru in eastern Sabah is

“He did a lot for the island. The lights now stay on 24 hours and clean water is piped from Sandakan under the sea. That was his own initiative. “Before, we had to fetch water from Pulau Berhala and it was not even clean. At weddings, everyone would

“People remember his kindness. He did a lot to help (residents) here,” he said, adding that he once received fishing gear, including outboard motors, through an initiative that greatly boosted the community’s income and living standards.

Resident Sulaiman Jafar, 72, said life is now vastly different, with basic facilities replacing reliance on natural resources and limited infrastructure, adding that in the past, residents had to carry water three kilometres from a natural source.