No action against homeless, Penang orders
Susan LoonePublished: Jul 8, 2014 12:18 PM | Updated: Jul 8, 2014 9:58 PM
The Penang government will not take any action against homeless people or on soup kitchens that provide them with food, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
The state Welfare Department, Lim said, would not be allowed to carry out any such operation against the homeless or on soup kitchens.
The Penang government will not take any action against homeless people or on soup kitchens that provide them with food, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
The state Welfare Department, Lim (centre in photo) said, would not be allowed to carry out any such operation against the homeless or on soup kitchens.
"The federal government talks about a RM150 fine on those who give food to beggars. This is something unacceptable. Penang will not take similar action," he said.
Lim (left) visited The Lighthouse along Jalan Penang yesterday evening, announcing that he will give them a one-off allocation of RM20,000 from the chief minister's funds.
Soup kitchens hit the headline last week when Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor threatened to act against them and to clear the Kuala Lumpur streets of the homeless.
Prime Minister Najib Razak has since praised the soup kitchens for doing a noble job, saying a solution would be worked out with Adnan, who received a lot of flak for his controversial statement.
Meanwhile, Lim praised the charity organisations - whether run by Catholics, Muslims or Buddhists - for doing a noble job.
The food provided to the poor and homeless in Lighthouse do not contain pork or beef, but only chicken, fish and sometimes lamb, he said.
Guan Eng: Destitute Act worse than ISA
During the fasting month, the Muslims who come do not eat there but pack away their food and eat after breaking fast, he added.
Lim said the Lighthouse, although run by the Catholic Church, is sensitive to other religious beliefs.
"This is important as it gives them dignity as human beings," said Lim. "I can't help but feel moved by this."
He then condemned the federal government's plan to use the 1977 Destitute Act against the homeless, where they can be held in shelter homes for up to six years.
Charitable organisations should be praised and protected instead of being punished and penalised.
"What type of law it this in our country? This is even worse than the Internal Security Act," Lim remarked.
"I can say that because I was detained without trial for 18 months. The ISA can be extended after that. But this (Destitute Act) is even worse, for one can be held from three to six years," he added.
"Is it a crime to be poor in Malaysia? If a person is poor, I would say the government has some responsibility. Societies like the soup kitchens do what the government cannot do, that is why we must help the homeless, instead of punishing and penalising them."
Related stories
KL 'more like Mecca' with anti-beggar move
No action against homeless, Penang orders
Ban on soup kitchens only after Hari Raya
Study begs to differ on Ku Nan's beggar claim
Down and out in holy month of Ramadan
The state Welfare Department, Lim (centre in photo) said, would not be allowed to carry out any such operation against the homeless or on soup kitchens."The federal government talks about a RM150 fine on those who give food to beggars. This is something unacceptable. Penang will not take similar action," he said.
Lim (left) visited The Lighthouse along Jalan Penang yesterday evening, announcing that he will give them a one-off allocation of RM20,000 from the chief minister's funds.
Soup kitchens hit the headline last week when Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor threatened to act against them and to clear the Kuala Lumpur streets of the homeless.
Prime Minister Najib Razak has since praised the soup kitchens for doing a noble job, saying a solution would be worked out with Adnan, who received a lot of flak for his controversial statement.Meanwhile, Lim praised the charity organisations - whether run by Catholics, Muslims or Buddhists - for doing a noble job.
The food provided to the poor and homeless in Lighthouse do not contain pork or beef, but only chicken, fish and sometimes lamb, he said.
Guan Eng: Destitute Act worse than ISA
During the fasting month, the Muslims who come do not eat there but pack away their food and eat after breaking fast, he added.
Lim said the Lighthouse, although run by the Catholic Church, is sensitive to other religious beliefs.
"This is important as it gives them dignity as human beings," said Lim. "I can't help but feel moved by this."He then condemned the federal government's plan to use the 1977 Destitute Act against the homeless, where they can be held in shelter homes for up to six years.
Charitable organisations should be praised and protected instead of being punished and penalised.
"What type of law it this in our country? This is even worse than the Internal Security Act," Lim remarked.
"I can say that because I was detained without trial for 18 months. The ISA can be extended after that. But this (Destitute Act) is even worse, for one can be held from three to six years," he added.
"Is it a crime to be poor in Malaysia? If a person is poor, I would say the government has some responsibility. Societies like the soup kitchens do what the government cannot do, that is why we must help the homeless, instead of punishing and penalising them."
Related stories
KL 'more like Mecca' with anti-beggar move
No action against homeless, Penang orders
Ban on soup kitchens only after Hari Raya
Study begs to differ on Ku Nan's beggar claim
Down and out in holy month of Ramadan
View Comments0