LABUAN – A 70-year-old woman, who had been stranded for more than 30 years in Sarawak, finally returns home and is reunited with her family here today, thanks to a mercy operation.
The woman, identified as Salmah Adeh, left Labuan for Sarawak 32 years ago in search of better income. However, due to a series of unfortunate events, she ended up being a vagrant in the streets of Sibu.
Her family members in Labuan have exhausted all efforts to trace her.
Salmah’s life turned upside down when she lost her MyKad and money in a snatch theft incident.
During her stay in Sibu, she found work with a vendor at a market in the district and, for a while, had a roof over her head. But, eventually, her employer, whom she called “hajah”, died and she was, again, left homeless.
She then began helping other vegetable vendors in the market to make ends meet during the day, and slept on the pavement at night, for over 20 years.
On January 8, Salmah was taken to Sibu Hospital for treatment after she was found in a weakened state by a good samaritan.
In February, her plight was highlighted and contact was made with her nephew, Zamain Ma’in, in Labuan. However, efforts to bring her back were stalled due to the inter-state travel ban.
But non-governmental organisation Persatuan Amal Kebajikan Insan Sejagat Sarawak and the social welfare departments in Sibu and Lawas reinitiated efforts to return and reunite her with her family and only daughter Noredah Saman, who is now 47 years old.
This time, the mission was a success.
“We must also thank the medical team from the Labuan Fire and Rescue Department who had given medical support to Salmah, as well as Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency personnel and the Labuan Marine police team for the mercy operation,” said Labuan Disaster Management Committee chairman Rithuan Ismail.
Noredah confirmed that she was in Form 3 when her mother left for Sarawak. – Bernama, February 27, 2021
