Orphans at Kelantan orphanage claim subjected to hunger and abuse

A recent visit by the Kelantan Youth Council to the orphanage revealed that the residents have been subjected to deprivation.

The residents claimed that they been have neglected and harmed by the caretaker. Some claimed that they have been left to starve and beaten up for merely asking for extra food.

A visit by Astro AWANI today revealed that the residents, aged between seven and 18 and comprised of disabled and HIV-infected orphans, among others.

The care centre is believed to be operating using the fund by a philanthropic who had passed on. Now, the orphanage is managed by a religious man or ustaz.

The residents, who came for a glimmer of hope of getting a roof above their heads, are in for a disappointment when some of them claimed to have been subjected to physical abuse. Some even opted to flee the home.

According to a resident, they are fed three times a day starting with breakfast that comprise fried noodle or Milo. Lunch is served at 2.30pm, and the menu consists of rice with tom yam soup or soup.

Dinner is served seven hours later at 9.30pm. Afternoon tea is never served at the orphanage.

“We eat three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evening with sweet beverages. We can’t ask because the ustaz is fierce, he will beat us up, slap or twist our ears,” said one of the resident.

In one incident, one of the student had to break into the pantry late at night due to hunger. The orphanage boasts two workers who teach the Al-Quran and manage their meals but the job isn’t properly managed.

The exposure was made during a visit by Kelantan Youth Council to celebrate the birthday of eight of the residents, recently.

Bachok Welfare Department has been notified and confirmed that the orphanage has been operating illegally for the last 10 years.