Najib, ministers visit soup kitchen after KL ban order delayed
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak visited a soup kitchen in Kuala Lumpur last night, after his government was roundly criticised over the past week for banning such charitable activities in the capital city. His entourage included Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, who declared the ban a week ago, and Women,...
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak visited a soup kitchen in Kuala Lumpur last night, after his government was roundly criticised over the past week for banning such charitable activities in the capital city.
His entourage included Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, who declared the ban a week ago, and Women, Family and Community Developmment Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim, who said tourists were also taking advantage of the soup kitchen's charity.
Putrajaya has now delayed the ban on soup kitchens from a 2-kilometre radius of Lot 10 in the Bukit Bintang shopping district until after August 16, in view of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan where charitable acts are encouraged.
“I also thought this was rather hilarious. Tengku Adnan told me that because I’ve been calling him names, he had to come to the ground to witness the situation for himself,” Pertiwi soup kitchen founder Munirah Abdul Hamid said before bursting into laughter.
“But I see this as a positive outcome, something which will benefit the homeless community,” she told The Malaysian Insider after the visit by the prime minister.
Najib and the ministers, accompanied by high ranking officers from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), arrived with Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal at the second distribution point of the Pertiwi soup kitchen, which provides food and free medical services on Wednesday nights.
Munirah said she was surprised with this visit from the officials, saying that she only realised it when she saw an unusually huge crowd of people breaking the silence of the area at 11.20pm.
She added that after speaking to the homeless, Najib approached her to
express his desire to find a solution to homelessness.
“However, I told him that he must consult with the homeless first as they are rather afraid and skeptical of the environment in the halfway homes,” said Munirah.
She also described plans by the women, family and community development ministry to round up and place the homeless at the Desa Bina Diri shelter-cum-rehabilitation centre in Sungai Buloh as premature.
Under Ops Qaseh, vagrants and beggars can be detained under the Destitute Persons Act 1997, which gives authorities the power to produce a homeless person in front of a magistrate within 24 hours of the arrest.
If the magistrate has reasons to believe that he or she is a destitute person, an order can be made to temporarily admit the person to a welfare home for one month, pending a report from the officer.
The magistrate could also extend the order for a further period of three years.
“Let’s hope they actually carry out what they’ve said they will do. It’s not about who wins or loses, it’s about us addressing the needs of those less fortunate,” Munirah said.
Putrajaya has postponed its unilateral ban on soup kitchens from July 7 to next month, but Kuala Lumpur's charities say they will continue providing food for the homeless and poor.
City Hall and the government have said they are looking at permanent distribution points for the charities to ensure cleanliness and access to public spaces. – July 10, 2014.
His entourage included Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, who declared the ban a week ago, and Women, Family and Community Developmment Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim, who said tourists were also taking advantage of the soup kitchen's charity.
Putrajaya has now delayed the ban on soup kitchens from a 2-kilometre radius of Lot 10 in the Bukit Bintang shopping district until after August 16, in view of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan where charitable acts are encouraged.
“I also thought this was rather hilarious. Tengku Adnan told me that because I’ve been calling him names, he had to come to the ground to witness the situation for himself,” Pertiwi soup kitchen founder Munirah Abdul Hamid said before bursting into laughter.
“But I see this as a positive outcome, something which will benefit the homeless community,” she told The Malaysian Insider after the visit by the prime minister.
Munirah said she was surprised with this visit from the officials, saying that she only realised it when she saw an unusually huge crowd of people breaking the silence of the area at 11.20pm.
She added that after speaking to the homeless, Najib approached her to
express his desire to find a solution to homelessness.
express his desire to find a solution to homelessness.
“However, I told him that he must consult with the homeless first as they are rather afraid and skeptical of the environment in the halfway homes,” said Munirah.
She also described plans by the women, family and community development ministry to round up and place the homeless at the Desa Bina Diri shelter-cum-rehabilitation centre in Sungai Buloh as premature.
Under Ops Qaseh, vagrants and beggars can be detained under the Destitute Persons Act 1997, which gives authorities the power to produce a homeless person in front of a magistrate within 24 hours of the arrest.
If the magistrate has reasons to believe that he or she is a destitute person, an order can be made to temporarily admit the person to a welfare home for one month, pending a report from the officer.
The magistrate could also extend the order for a further period of three years.
“Let’s hope they actually carry out what they’ve said they will do. It’s not about who wins or loses, it’s about us addressing the needs of those less fortunate,” Munirah said.
Putrajaya has postponed its unilateral ban on soup kitchens from July 7 to next month, but Kuala Lumpur's charities say they will continue providing food for the homeless and poor.
City Hall and the government have said they are looking at permanent distribution points for the charities to ensure cleanliness and access to public spaces. – July 10, 2014.
Najib turun melihat sendiri kegiatan dapur jalanan selepas dikritik hebat
The Malaysian Insider – Thu, Jul 10, 2014RELATED CONTENT
- Najib turun melihat sendiri kegiatan dapur jalanan selepas dikritik hebat
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak melawat kegiatan memberikan bantuan makanan (dapur jalanan atau soup kitchen) kepada gelandangan di Kuala Lumpur malam tadi selepas kerajaannya dikritik hebat minggu lalu kerana melarang kegiatan sedemikian di ibu negara.
Turut menyertai beliau adalah Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan Tengku Adnan Mansor yang melarang kegiatan itu minggu lalu; dan Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim yang berkata pelancong juga mengambil kesempatan ke atas kegiatan itu.
Putrajaya kini menangguhkan sekatan kegiatan itu dua kilometer dari Lot 10 yang terletak di pusat perniagaan bandaraya selepas 16 Ogos ini, ketika bulan puasa bagi umat Islam di mana kegiatan memberikan sedekah adalah digalakkan.
"Saya juga fikir ini adalah agak lucu. Tengku Adnan memberitahu saya kerana saya memanggil nama dia, dia terpaksa turun untuk menyaksikan sendiri keadaan di sini," kata pengasas dapur jalanan Pertiwi, Munirah Abdul Hamid sebelum ketawa berdekah-dekah.
"Tetapi saya melihat ini sebagai positif, sesuatu yang akan memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat yang tiada tempat tinggal, " katanya kepada The Malaysian Insider selepas lawatan Perdana Menteri.
Najib dan menteri-menteri Kabinet tiba dengan Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal serta lain-lain pegawai kanan dari Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) di pusat pengagihan kedua dapur jalanan Pertiwi, yang biasanya menyediakan makanan dan perkhidmatan perubatan percuma pada malam Rabu.
Munirah berkata beliau terkejut dengan lawatan ini, dan hanya sedar apabila dia melihat orang yang luar biasa ramainya memecahkan kesunyian kawasan itu pada jam 11.20 malam.
Beliau menambah, selepas bercakap dengan beberapa gelandangan, Najib mendekati beliau untuk menyatakan hasratnya untuk mencari penyelesaian untuk tempat tinggal mereka.
"Bagaimanapun, saya memberitahu bahawa dia perlu berunding dengan mereka dahulu kerana mereka agak takut dan ragu-ragu dengan suasana di rumah sementara itu, "kata Munirah.
Beliau juga menyifatkan perancangan oleh Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat untuk mengumpul dan meletakkan gelandangan di Desa Bina Diri iaitu pusat perlindungan merangkap pemulihan di Sungai Buloh sebagai tidak berapa sesuai.
Di bawah Ops Qaseh, gelandangan dan pengemis boleh ditahan di bawah Akta Orang Papa 1997, yang memberikan pihak berkuasa untuk mengemukakan orang yang tiada tempat tinggal di hadapan majistret dalam masa 24 jam selepas ditangkap.
Jika majistret mempunyai sebab untuk mempercayai bahawa dia tidak berupaya, satu perintah boleh dibuat untuk memasukkan mereka secara sementara ke rumah kebajikan selama satu bulan, sementara menunggu laporan daripada pegawai di situ.
Selepas itu, jika majistret berpuas hati dengan laporan itu, perintah itu boleh dilanjutkan untuk tempoh tiga tahun.
"Mari kita berharap mereka benar-benar menjalankan apa yang mereka katakan. Ini bukan soal siapa yang menang atau kalah, ia mengenai kita menangani keperluan mereka yang kurang bernasib baik," kata Munirah.
Putrajaya menarik balik larangan unilateral ke atas kegiatan dapur jalanan berkuatkuasa 7 Julai hingga bulan depan, tetapi badan amal di Kuala Lumpur berkata mereka akan terus menyediakan makanan untuk gelandangan dan orang miskin.
Dewan Bandaraya dan kerajaan berkata mereka sedang mengkaji pusat pengedaran kekal bagi badan amal untuk memastikan kebersihan, selain daripada memastikan ia tidak mengganggu pergerakan orang lain. – 10 Julai, 2014.
