Ban on soup kitchens only after Hari Raya
Adrian WongPublished: Jul 8, 2014 5:51 AM | Updated: Jul 8, 2014 1:56 PM
The ban on soup kitchens feeding the homeless and poor will not be enforced until after the Hari Raya celebrations.
The ban on soup kitchens feeding the homeless and poor will not be enforced until after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
According to the Federal Territories Ministry, they will be allowed to operate in the two-kilometre radius, which was initially declared off limits to soup kitchens starting this week.
Ministry secretary-general Adnan Mat Ikhsan (right) said that after Hari Raya, only soup kitchens which have permanent premises inside the two-kilometre radius can continue operations.
Mobile soup kitchens will have to shift out of the area starting Aug 16.
He said this at a press conference after a three-hour meeting with 12 NGOs in Putrajaya today.
Adnan said that the ministry will also organise a laboratory and invite the NGOs to participate in mapping out a short and long-term plan on the issue.
"We understand, some NGOs are facing financial problems, we can also discuss it over there."
Asked why Lot 10 is chosen as the focal point, Adnan said this is due to the Bukit Bintang shopping mall is “in the city centre", and the area is also a tourist hot spot.
Meeting with beggars and the homeless
Among NGOs present were Kechara Soup Kitchen, Pertiwi Soup Kitchen and Dapur Jalanan.
Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor was not present at the meeting.
However, in a statement later, the minister said that a townhall meeting will also be held with beggars and the homeless soon to hear their grouses and assist them.
"We will also identify existing premises uses by the NGOs to assist them in the concept of 'Anjung Singgah'.
"A special committee consisting of government agecies and NGOs will also be be formed to detail out the process of providing food to the homeless," he said.
Anjung Singgah, located at Jalan Hang Lekiu, is a state-funded one-stop centre to assist the homeless.
Met after the meeting, Kechara Soup Kitchen president Ruby Khong said Kechara will meet with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall tomorrow, to further discuss the matter.
Don't pass the buck around
Pertiwi Soup Kitchen founder Munirah Abdul Hamid, meanwhile, urged the government to distinguish between homeless people and beggars, as the latter may be controlled by syndicates.
Munirah also called on the authorities to look into the matter of people living with HIV, who are living rough on the streets.
"In the case of HIV, (the issue) was passed around. Who looks after it? Don't just say this is not my territory.
"Let's just sit together, and try to sort it out, otherwise you won't find a solution," she said, adding that this was also discussed today's meeting.
Meanwhile, Dapur Jalanan coordinator Hishamuddin Rais (right) said its soup kitchen would continue with its operations, even after Hari Raya.
The soup kitchen distributes food every Sunday evening at Jalan Panggung, near Petaling Street, which falls within the two-kilometre radius of Lot 10.
"No change. Rain, sunshine, winter, summer, Dapur Jalanan will be there. With or without Tengku Adnan," Hishammuddin said when asked at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.
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According to the Federal Territories Ministry, they will be allowed to operate in the two-kilometre radius, which was initially declared off limits to soup kitchens starting this week.Ministry secretary-general Adnan Mat Ikhsan (right) said that after Hari Raya, only soup kitchens which have permanent premises inside the two-kilometre radius can continue operations.
Mobile soup kitchens will have to shift out of the area starting Aug 16.
He said this at a press conference after a three-hour meeting with 12 NGOs in Putrajaya today.
Adnan said that the ministry will also organise a laboratory and invite the NGOs to participate in mapping out a short and long-term plan on the issue.
"We understand, some NGOs are facing financial problems, we can also discuss it over there."
Asked why Lot 10 is chosen as the focal point, Adnan said this is due to the Bukit Bintang shopping mall is “in the city centre", and the area is also a tourist hot spot.
Meeting with beggars and the homeless
Among NGOs present were Kechara Soup Kitchen, Pertiwi Soup Kitchen and Dapur Jalanan.
Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor was not present at the meeting.
However, in a statement later, the minister said that a townhall meeting will also be held with beggars and the homeless soon to hear their grouses and assist them."We will also identify existing premises uses by the NGOs to assist them in the concept of 'Anjung Singgah'.
"A special committee consisting of government agecies and NGOs will also be be formed to detail out the process of providing food to the homeless," he said.
Anjung Singgah, located at Jalan Hang Lekiu, is a state-funded one-stop centre to assist the homeless.
Met after the meeting, Kechara Soup Kitchen president Ruby Khong said Kechara will meet with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall tomorrow, to further discuss the matter.
Don't pass the buck around
Pertiwi Soup Kitchen founder Munirah Abdul Hamid, meanwhile, urged the government to distinguish between homeless people and beggars, as the latter may be controlled by syndicates.
Munirah also called on the authorities to look into the matter of people living with HIV, who are living rough on the streets.
"In the case of HIV, (the issue) was passed around. Who looks after it? Don't just say this is not my territory.
"Let's just sit together, and try to sort it out, otherwise you won't find a solution," she said, adding that this was also discussed today's meeting.
Meanwhile, Dapur Jalanan coordinator Hishamuddin Rais (right) said its soup kitchen would continue with its operations, even after Hari Raya.The soup kitchen distributes food every Sunday evening at Jalan Panggung, near Petaling Street, which falls within the two-kilometre radius of Lot 10.
"No change. Rain, sunshine, winter, summer, Dapur Jalanan will be there. With or without Tengku Adnan," Hishammuddin said when asked at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.
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
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