AFTER a series of unfortunate events, former welder Lee Lai Yon, 67, found himself homeless and without an income.

Hailing from Johor, Lee spent some time living on the streets before he reached the Penang Transit Centre for the Homeless in Jalan CY Choy.

He stayed there for a few days and that was the turning point.

Centre staff member talking to a lodger at the transit centre dormitory.

The centre’s management offered him a small corner where he could wash motorcycles for a living.

“I only charge RM4 per motorcycle but this has allowed me to rebuild my life with dignity.

“I can make a simple living from this. My daily expenses are manageable since I get my meals at the centre.

Nazatulwanis meeting the residents of the transit centre at meal time.

“I’m getting back on my feet and I am deeply grateful for the support I’ve received,” he said.

Lee is one of many whose lives have been touched by the outreach programmes at the transit centre, which provides temporary shelter and helps to reintegrate the homeless into society by offering them practical means of self-reliance.

Another lodger, Mohd Fauzi Din, 53, from Perlis, was once a trader in Sungai Ara.

He suffered two strokes, the first in the middle of last year and another last February.

The transit centre for the homeless in Jalan CY Choy in George Town, Penang.( June 10, 2025 ) ¡ªCHAN BOON KAI/The Star

Following his hospital discharge after the second stroke, he returned home hoping to recover with the support of his loved ones.

But his family accused him of faking his illness.

Cast out by his wife and three children, Mohd Fauzi, who has difficulty walking, had no choice but to live at his stall until the Welfare Department intervened in February and referred him to the transit centre.

“I am still holding on to the hope that one day, my family will take me back.

“I just want to spend my final years in peace, surrounded by the people I love,” he said at the centre.

Mohd Fauzi has since been sent to an old folks home in Kangar, Perlis, where he is now receiving round-the-clock care.

Residents resting at the transit centre in Jalan CY Choy in George Town.

New beginnings

Established in September 2023, the transit centre offers far more than just a hot meal and a place to sleep.

It is a vital sanctuary for hundreds who have found themselves temporarily adrift – not always because of poverty, but often because of fractured family ties.

According to the centre’s general manager Nazatulwanis Mohd Khorish, 592 individuals − mostly senior citizens staying around the area − are registered to receive meals at the centre.

“The facility includes a dining hall that can accommodate over 100 people at any one time, serving as a daily gathering point for those in need of food and companionship.

“Every night, an average of 40 people will stay overnight at the centre, making use of its safe and clean beds.

“We give them not only a place to rest but also regular meals and the assurance that someone still cares,” she said in an interview.

Nazatulwanis said the demographics of those seeking refuge were diverse but leaned heavily toward the older population.

According to her, of those who stayed at the centre in the past year, 26% were between the ages of 51 and 60, 24% between 41 and 50, 21% between 61 and 70, 18% between 31 and 40, 6% between 71 and 80 while 5% were in the 18 to 30 age group.

Residents waiting for their meals.

All overnight guests must be aged 18 years or older and possess a MyKad for verification.

“Interestingly, most of them are not truly homeless, as many are here because of family disputes,” said Nazatulwanis.

“Some had fights with their children or spouses or were turned away by their family members.

After suffering two strokes, Mohd Fauzi stayed at the transit centre before moving to an old folks home in Perlis.

“We try to help them get back on their feet, often by arranging job interviews with local companies, security firms, even the Penang Island City Council.”

Nazatulwanis related the case of a retired university lecturer and his wife who had been cheated of their life savings by relatives in Kuala Lumpur.

“They came to us in distress and we gave them a place to stay.

“I am happy to share that the lecturer has now rented a place in Penang where he runs a small tuition centre and they are slowly regaining control of their lives,” she said.

The transit centre operates with a staff of 14, including Nazatulwanis, her two assistants, four security officers and three janitors.

Despite the challenges of managing a facility with such a wide range of responsibilities, she said the community’s support had been heartening.

“We receive regular donations of food, clothing and even sponsorship from non-governmental organisations, companies and institutions such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to help us keep going.

“There are strict rules to ensure the centre runs smoothly.

“Meals are served daily to anyone in need, but they must be eaten on-site,” said Nazatulwanis.

“Food cannot be taken out. If it is unfinished, we will place it in our compost bin.

“This is partly to avoid wastage but also to prevent littering of food in public areas.

“We have seen how leftover food attracts rats, pigeons and crows, especially when people leave it at temples or by the roadside.”

Nazatulwanis hopes that more restaurants and food manufacturers will consider donating their unsold food to the centre rather than just throwing it away or giving it to the homeless in temples where the food may go uneaten and rot.

“Bring it to us. We will make sure it feeds someone in need – properly and respectfully.

“In a world where the elderly are often overlooked and where fractured family relationships leave people vulnerable, the centre offers more than a roof or a meal – it offers dignity, a second chance and above all, hope,” she said.

Penang social development, welfare and non-Muslim affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the Penang government would continue to strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders to help those at the transit home gain employment and enjoy a better life.

“It’s difficult for people who lose their jobs and end up homeless while trying to survive in the city.

“To date, more than 500 individuals have taken shelter at the Homeless Transit Centre following a series of homeless rescue operations carried out around George Town.

“Out of the 500 individuals who were successfully assisted, over 200 of them have found jobs and are now able to rent rooms or houses on their own.”

Lim said this would not have been possible without strong support from the government agencies, NGOs and the private sector, particularly in providing daily meals.

“At present, there are 35 companies acting as our strategic partners to offer job opportunities to those at the transit centre.

“We hope more private companies, factories and related agencies will come forward to provide support and cooperation by offering employment opportunities to these people,” she added.