P David Marshel, the head of NGO Tamilar Kural, said they have videos of the former residents being left there at 12.30pm today in several cars.

The drivers apparently “rushed them out” and left in a hurry.

David said Tamilar Kural had earlier in April checked on allegations of assault within the old folks’ home, which led to an investigation by the social welfare department and the facility’s subsequent shutdown.

He said NGO representatives tracked down the displaced residents yesterday to a dilapidated warehouse at an oil palm estate in Sungai Karangan, Kulim, Kedah – where they also found several residents chained to their beds.

“It is shocking to find five mentally challenged people and a blind double amputee among the very old and ill people just left at a terrible warehouse in the middle of an oil palm estate.

David said the NGO then confronted the home’s former caretaker and offered to help rehome the inmates, who were living in dire conditions.

“Now they have taken it one step further in shirking their responsibility and leaving these people outside a shophouse,” he said.

David said he had reached out to Penang exco members for health and social welfare Daniel Gooi and Lim Siew Khim, who had alerted the state’s health and social welfare departments.

Officers have been sent to check on the former residents’ welfare.

When contacted, Gooi said the inmates were all from Kedah, and five of them were brought to health ministry facilities since they appeared to be mentally challenged.

He said the rest were under the social welfare department’s care.

David said a police report had been lodged over the matter at the Perai station.