GEORGE TOWN: Two cats inside a cage at the bus terminal in Komtar here have been keeping 63-year-old Abdullah Ismail company for the past two years.

       Abdullah, who was homeless, initially adopted the felines from the street when they were kittens and they are now fully grown.

       But the clock was ticking for him to find new homes for them.

       Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has requested for Abdullah to remove the cats within a week.

       This followed reports from commuters about the cats in the cage being placed permanently on the terminal's cement benches.

       Unfortunately, without a job, home or money, Abdullah had nowhere to go.

       "After losing my job as a security guard in Ipoh, I moved here and sheltered next to Jalan Ria, near Komtar.

       "It was there where I found both kittens and kept them in a cardboard box.

       "Relying on donations and food contributed by the kind public, I managed to raise both cats and eventually moved over to the bus terminal below Komtar and got them a cage," he said when met on Tuesday (April 26).

       Several officers from MBPP's Veterinary Department approached Abdullah to understand his plight.

       But all they could do was provide him a week's grace period to have the animals removed from the public facility.

       "We cannot confiscate his beloved animals and order him to move them away immediately as Abdullah himself is without a home.

       "However, as this is a public place and the animals do not belong here, we requested for Abdullah to find a shelter for the cats.

       "Hopefully someone will step forward and assist Abdullah," said an officer.

       Meanwhile, some commuters weren't pleased to find the cage with two cats and dozens of bags left at the terminal's seating area.

       "I'm shocked to see the cats locked inside the cage and placed on the bench all day and night.

       "They've been here since over a year ago and together with the baggage left all over, are an eyesore and nuisance,"

       "I hope the government can do something, this is happening right below their offices," said a regular commuter who only wished to be named as Jane.