KUALA LUMPUR – Indian national Safiudeen Pakkeer Mohamed, who was caught on video being mistreated outside a bank in Taman Maluri in Cheras recently, is set to return home tomorrow after his former employer returned his passport.
The New Straits Times (NST) reported that the new development came after the 39-year-old had a meeting with officials at the High Commission of India, attended by humanitarian volunteer and Food2U founder Anthony Lian, as well as representatives from the Persatuan Pengusaha Restoran Muslim Malaysia (Presma), Persatuan Pengusaha Restoran India Malaysia (Prisma).
A representative of his former employer gave Safiudeen back his passport, witnessed by diplomatic officials, said the report.
Speaking to NST after the meeting, Lian said Safiudeen’s repatriation was done upon the advice of the High Commission.
“His employer returned the passport at the High Commission just now, settled any pending dues and has also volunteered to pay for his flight ticket back to India.
“With that, everything is settled. He is now under the care of the High Commission and will be taken care by them until his departure tomorrow. The fine for overstaying will also be paid by the former employer,” Lian told the portal.
Nationwide outrage
Safiudeen’s plight sparked nationwide outrage after a video surfaced of him being hosed down with water and chased away while sleeping outside a bank in Taman Maluri.
It was Lian who tracked Safiudeen down after the video went viral and gave him shelter.
“He is relieved. More than anything, he wants to go back to his family in Tamil Nadu. He has been through a lot. Both parties have come to an amicable solution and apologised to each other,” Lian said.
According to reports, Safiudeen arrived in Malaysia in March last year to work as a cook at a restaurant in Gombak, Selangor.
He later alleged that his employer withheld his passport from the day of his arrival, and repeatedly delayed his wages, rendering him unable to support his family or look for a new job.
Left without a job, salary, or identification, Safiudeen ended up homeless and dependent on strangers’ kindness.– December 1, 2025