KUALA LUMPUR: FOOD distributed by soup kitchen volunteers was often not disposed of properly, leading to rubbish piling up in the city and attracting rats and other pests.
This was one of the reasons cited by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor when he instructed soup kitchens to move out of the city centre by next Monday.
Tengku Adnan said that this move was part of the ministry’s efforts to clean up the streets of the capital.
He said that soup kitchens would not be allowed to distribute food to the homeless within a two-kilometre radius from the Lot 10 shopping mall in Bukit Bintang here.
Tengku Adnan said there were other avenues for the homeless to get food, such as places of worship, and advised the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to distribute food outside the city.
Tengku Adnan said NGOs found distributing food inside the 2km radius would be fined.
“There is a proper way for charity, not through the streets,” he said, adding that he wanted the city to be free of beggars.
“We do not want beggars to beg, we want them to work,” he said, referring to those who were physically and mentally fit.
“We have found them work and sought cooperation from supermarkets and restaurants, but they work for two days and run away,” he said, adding that they were lazy.
“We have 1.5 million foreigners working in the country and there are ample jobs,” he said, adding that some beggars preferred to live on charity than work.
Tengku Adnan added that beggars who were disabled or afflicted by drug addiction would be referred to the relevant government agencies. He said City Hall had plans to build a shelter home for those who really needed it.
“The problem is that when we provide shelter homes, the beggars become complacent. I have to be harsh or society will not be disciplined,” said Tengku Adnan, adding that this was necessary as the city’s image was suffering.
Tengku Adnan said this after presenting letters of appointment to the Federal Territory non-Muslim Houses of Worship Advisory Board here yesterday.
City Hall Enforcement Director Mohd Sauffi Muhamad said City Hall would engage the NGOs that were distributing food and seek their cooperation.
In a post on his Facebook account, Tengku Adnan said the decision was not meant to dismiss the charitable work of those helping the homeless and impoverished.
“I have read the angry statements thrown at me and I want to say that that was not my intention.
“My intention is to clean the city. For that, I am ready to listen and make amends to whatever is needed,” he said.
In another post, Tengku Adnan said the ministry’s reports had found that many beggars in the city were not Malaysian citizens.
To watch the video, go to the video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8P0dwd4-E