DBKL's Latest Initiative To Curb Homelessness Raises Eyebrows
Bright green metal dividers have cropped up on the public benches in Kuala Lumpur, signalling the crackdown on the homeless.
By Mei Mei Chu — 23 Jul 2014, 02:33 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Has Installed Metal Dividers On Public Benches In What Is Seen As An Effort To Combat Vagrancy
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has installed metal dividers on public benches in what is seen as an effort to combat vagrancy
Image via Wak LiThe Green Metal Barriers Were First Spotted By Dapur Jalanan, A Soup Kitchen Based In KL
It is unclear when the dividers were fitted, but Dapur Jalanan, a soup kitchen that hands out meals on wheels, spotted the steel bars yesterday night.
themalaymailonline.com
The green metal barriers was first spotted by Dapur Jalanan, a soup kitchen based in KL
Image via imgur.comAccording To Dapur Jalanan, A Homeless Man Says The Authorities Had Kind Intentions To Ensure They Won't Roll Off The Bench When They Sleep
On The Other Hand, The Malay Mail Reported A Homeless Man Named Foo Lamenting The New Installation, "Mau Tidur Kejap Pun, Dia Tak Suka."
Foo spends the night salvaging recyclable waste from piles of rubbish discarded by shop owners along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in the city. When he grows tired of walking the 2km stretch, he often lays down for a nap on the cool wooden benches held up by three-foot long concrete legs along major one-way road.
themalaymailonline.com
But Foo told The Malay Mail Online today that he had to sleep on the floor of the sidewalk last night because the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has installed steel bench dividers painted in luminescent green, which restricts him from stretching out his legs.
themalaymailonline.com
He walks away looking exasperated, muttering under his breath, “Mahu tidur kejap pun, dia tak suka (Even to rest for a bit, they don’t like it).” Foo is among thousands of homeless, who have made the city’s streets and back alleys their home for years.
themalaymailonline.com
A DBKL Media Officer Has Confirmed That The Metal Dividers Are To Deter Homeless People From Turning The Benches Into Beds
DBKL has installed handles on the benches along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to deter the homeless from sleeping on them.
Image via themalaymailonline.comA DBKL media officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that City Hall installed the dividers to deter the homeless from “turning the benches to beds”. “You think people will sit on the benches after they (the homeless) have slept on them? It is just to make sure it is not misused,” said the officer when contacted.
themalaymailonline.com
Pointing Out That The Crackdown On The Homeless Is Real, Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower) Says The Government Is Making KL Exclusive For A Certain Class
“DBKL said they would meet the soup kitchens operating in the city in town hall meeting, but this just shows that the crackdown is very real… this is a trial exercise by DBKL,” said Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower) president Janarthani Arumugam, when contacted today.
themalaymailonline.com
Janarthani said the measure was uncalled for when there are not enough shelters in the city to home vagrants. “I note terrible apathy in these officers,” she said adding that by installing the steel dividers “they are making sure Kuala Lumpur is only exclusive for people of certain class”.
themalaymailonline.com
Reach Out Malaysia Says The Barriers Will Make Little Difference To The Lives Of The Homeless As They Prefer To Sleep On Pavements
"This is, in our opinion, not a positive solution but a retrograde step. In actuality, the installation of these barriers will make little difference to the lives of the homeless as the vast majority do not use benches to sleep on, but prefer to sleep on the pavements and in doorways."
facebook.com
This New Move To Combat Homelessness Comes Weeks After The Federal Territories Minister Proposed To Ban Soup Kitchens From Operating In The City Centre
Following Backlash, The Federal Territories Ministry Promised To Schedule A Town Hall Meeting With Soup Kitchens To Discuss The Best Way Forward
The Federal Territories Ministry, which is in charge of the city, had promised to schedule and host a town hall meeting with the non-governmental groups which run the soup kitchens in the city before implementing any preventive measures.
themalaymailonline.com
After coming under fire for the remarks, the ministry sought to contain the negative publicity by saying it is merely setting up a “one-stop centre” to combat vagrancy in Kuala Lumpur, which was followed by a visit from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the homeless on July 10. Tengku Adnan then announced that the ban will be postponed until after Hari Raya, which is next Monday.
yahoo.comHowever, The Meeting Has Yet To Materialise, Leading To Questions About The Ministry's Sincerity
"It has been publicly announced by the Federal Territories Ministry that there were to be 'Town Hall Discussions' with the homeless and NGO's to find a mutually beneficial solution to the needs of the poor and also for the Ministries objectives in eradicating poverty. Regrettably, these discussions have not taken place and we can again see punitive measures being taken."
facebook.com
"We would call upon the Ministries and agencies to stand by their previous statements relating to cooperation, and desist from any further punitive punishments against the poor and needy and those that serve them."
facebook.com
“They are not sincere, because the community was very willing to work with DBKL,” Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower) president Janarthani Arumugam said.
themalaymailonline.com