KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has taken in more than 8,000 destitute people between 2020 and June this year.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said they include unemployed, low-income, poverty stricken and homeless people.
She said some of them were disowned by their families, some had mental disorders or health issues and some were drug addicts or former prisoners.
"A total of 2,108 homeless people were rescued in 2020, 1,528 in 2021, 1,280 in 2022, 2,080 in 2023 and 1,256 up to June 2024."
Noraini (Barisan Nasional-Parit Sulong) said this in the Dewan Rakyat today in response to a question by Chow Kon Yeow (Pakatan Harapan-Batu Kawan) on the number of destitute people the ministry has taken in and the status of the review of the Destitute Persons Act 1977.
"Under the Welfare Department, destitute people are divided into several categories, including foreign nationals, undocumented migrants, UNHCR cardholders and those with mental, infectious or chronic illnesses.
"These people are then referred to the relevant agencies, such as the Immigration Department, Health Ministry, police and the National Anti-Drug Agency," Noraini said.
She said addressing the issue of destitute people required a holistic approach and close cooperation between federal agencies, state governments and non-governmental organisations.
She said the ministry was reviewing a study that would be used as the basis to establish a more holistic mechanism to address the issue of destitute people and ensure their welfare is protected.
Previously, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said a study on improving the Destitute Persons Act 1977 would be completed in September.
She said the ministry would announce the findings and the steps that would be taken to amend the act.