Orphaned as a child, the 57-year-old wanders the streets of Kuala Lumpur on crutches on most days, just to try and get a hot meal or a place to sleep.
But not today. As with every Chinese New Year, Ew makes an effort to go anywhere that welcomes the homeless with a sumptuous spread.
It is the Sabahan’s first time at the Pusat Transit Gelandangan in Jalan Pahang here and already he feels at home.
“It’s exciting to see people celebrating the new year together. I don’t feel lonely because of the atmosphere.
“I am grateful that events like these are held for people like us,” he told FMT.
A 62-year-old who only wished to be known as Banniy travelled all the way from Gombak just to celebrate with his fellow homeless friends. For now, they are his family.
Banniy’s wife and children are in Sabah and for the second year running, he cannot spend it with them.
“If only I have enough money, I would have been with my family in Sabah. But I can’t afford to pay for tickets as I don’t have a job right now.
“I have not seen them for two years,” he said.
Hosting them with the Chinese New Year treat today was the Institut Onn Jaafar (IOJ), a non-profit organisation that aims to reach out to the marginalised in our society.
IOJ chief executive officer Charles Mohan said the institute has been organising similar events for the past three years, serving the homeless and underprivileged on special occasions.
Mohan said the institute feels like there is a need to create an environment for homeless people, regardless of race, religion or nationality.
“Today’s JOM CNY event would not have been possible without the help of our sponsors and the cooperation we received from the Federal Territories ministry, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the management of Pusat Transit Gelandangan, and our partners in Yayasan Chow Kit,” Charles said.
IOJ has also hosted “JOM RAYA” for Aidilfitri and “JOM DIWALI” for Deepavali at the same place since February 2016, as part of its ongoing “JOM BEKPES” morning soup kitchen campaign.