It was believed his family members had brought him to the surau for a congregational prayer only as a ploy to drive him out of the house.

After knowing about the sad incident, the Selangor Zakat Board acted immediately to help the man, who is in his 60s. He has been placed in a care centre and welfare home in Dengkil, with costs borne by the board.

In a Facebook posting, the board said it had take action as there were health risks for elderly people to be left on their own outdoors as Selangor has a high number of active Covid-19 cases.

The elderly man, who is unmarried, suffered sores on his feet from infection, hunger and fatigue, the board said. He had been in the care of a nephew before his health deteriorated and he had been left at the surau.

“It saddens us when he shared the story of how he was left at a surau. Since his health has deteriorated, along with uncertain conditions due to the movement control order, the family members who took care of him left him at a surau,” the board said.