KUCHING: Jaywalking is a serious offence but some students have been crossing the busy road in front of Premier 101 Food Centre here illegally because they are scared of a strange homeless man who is making the overhead bridge there his home.
The man, who is believed to be mentally ill, has been living on the bridge for almost a week now. He was first discovered by a student last week.
Teachers at a nearby school hope that the authority concerned will look into the matter and bring the man for a medical checkup.
The man has made himself comfortable by laying on cardboard pieces. There is a pot of rice, empty plates and several empty bottles of mineral water near him.
The man has apparently used the bridge as a toilet because there are human faeces there as well.
New Sarawak Tribune yesterday found the man lying on the bridge.
The man, who was reluctant to answer questions, said at first he was very young. Later, he said he was 58 years old.
He said he was from Sebuyau and married with two children. Asked why he did not go back to Sebuyau, he quickly said he was not married and asked not to be disturbed as he wanted to sleep.
It is believed that the man gets his food from the commercial centre nearby. He, however, claimed that he cooked his own food but there was no stove nearby.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Family, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah Minister, who was contacted, said the man would be referred to the Welfare Department for further action.
