Things The Rakyat Wants Tengku Adnan To Know Before Banning Soup Kitchens

"The minister is saying the homeless are beggars. They’re not beggars; they’re struggling to make ends meet."

The minister is saying the homeless are beggars. They’re not beggars; they’re struggling to make ends meet

Image via enshahdi

Most of the homeless individuals in Malaysia are not unemployed, but are working at low-paying jobs. Some have mental illness or are of subaverage intelligence and therefore unemployable. Some lost their jobs due to the deteriorating economy, personal problems, clinical depression or other medical issues. Some are victims of crime, sexual abuse or domestic violence.

“They can’t do a nine-to-five job. They can only work twice a week or half a day because of their short attention span,” she said. “There are people who are not fit enough for work because they’ve been on the streets for so long. They’ve got all these ailments, so they’re not fit. All these cases fall outside the government structure,” said Munirah.

"Many street people have mental and physical illnesses, some were abandoned, some have drug or alcohol addictions. There are ex-convicts, transgenders, victims of abuse..."

Many street people have mental and physical illnesses, some were abandoned, some have drug or alcohol addictions.

Image via tsemtulku.com

Many street people have mental and physical illnesses, others are victims of abuse or are from troubled backgrounds, some have drug or alcohol addictions, she said. There are also ex-convicts, elderly and impoverished folk and people who are identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, she added. Their troubled backgrounds and the way they have been forced to live make it impossible for many street people to hold down ordinary jobs.

Some were cheated of their wages by employers, or had entered into business partnerships which failed. Some are senior citizens abandoned by their families and are unable to find a welfare home that is able to accept them. But many are just ordinary citizens struggling to make ends meet and send money home to their families in other towns and villages.

"The reason for the rising number of homeless people in the streets of Kuala Lumpur is the same as everywhere else in the world – urban migration for better economic opportunities, wage stagnation and rising costs of living."

The reason for the rising number of homeless people in the streets of Kuala Lumpur is the same as everywhere else in the world – urban migration for better economic opportunities, wage stagnation and rising costs of living.

Image via Alvin Teoh

The reason for the rising number of homeless people in the streets of Kuala Lumpur is the same as everywhere else in the world – urban migration for better economic opportunities, wage stagnation and rising costs of living. Rising rent, utility costs and fuel costs mean that low-income individuals who were previously able to rent rooms in the city are now no longer able to afford the same.

“Some people also come from other states to find jobs here, but they can’t find jobs, so they sleep on the streets for a while,” said Cheah. “For them, it’s better here than their villages as the streets are in better condition and they’re sometimes nicer. Just no walls,” the NGO worker added.

"Feeding the street people is not the main aim, though food is used to open up conversations. It's about listening, it's about doing what little we can, like jobs, encouragement, and getting people to want to go to rehab. It's a pin-prick, but every little thing help."

Feeding the street people is not the main aim, though food is used open up conversations.

Image via yimg.com

Homeless outreach organisations offer more than just food. Almost all offer basic counselling services, employment counselling and referrals, assistance to families and vulnerable individuals, legal advice and assistance, First Aid services and medical assistance, and opportunities for the homeless to find better jobs and re-enter mainstream society.

For many of the most socially-excluded individuals, the practical help we extend is our way of telling them: “You have friends. We are here to support you, and help you when you are ready. We can talk, when your stomach is no longer hungry. Here is some food, and you don’t have to resort to unlawful or degrading means to obtain it.”

"Food distribution to the needy would not tarnish KL's image as claimed by Tengku Adnan but instead, would uplift its image as a city which upheld moral values."

Food distribution to the needy would not tarnish KL's image as claimed by Tengku Adnan but instead, would uplift its image as a city which upheld moral values.

Image via kechara.com

"Recent research has shown that those who are homeless are plagued with deeper socio-economic problems, coupled with gaps in government services at the local level. “The approach of on-ground service centres including soup kitchens is one of dignity and respect, going to where they are to build empowering relationships.” IQ said that the food distribution to the needy would not tarnish Kuala Lumpur's image as claimed by Tengku Adnan but instead, would uplift its image as a city which upheld moral values.

“Poverty and hunger are not crimes, but do lead to crime if you don't help those in need.”

Poverty and hunger are not crimes, but do lead to crime if you don't help those in need.

Image via funnymalaysia.net

What needs to be done is to make sure that there are jobs available for them to do. And these jobs need to be able to pay a decent amount of money for them to live a decent life. And, for them to be able to qualify for these jobs, a good quality education system needs to be in place so that they have the opportunity and are able to gain the knowledge to do these jobs.

"Just by getting rid of poor people from sight in the middle of the city does not mean getting rid of poverty in the country. Treat the cause and not the symptom."

Just by getting rid of poor people from sight in the middle of the city does not mean getting rid of poverty in the country.

Image via blogspot.com

The fact that anyone can actually think that just by providing free food we are encouraging the homeless and jobless to stay jobless, is ridiculous. The cost of living needs to be at a level that is reasonable so every layer of society will be able to enjoy quality living standards, like having a decent home and affordable health care.

“Close all the pubs, rumah urut (massage parlours) and rumah ayam (prostitution dens). Not soup kitchens.”

Close all the pubs, rumah urut (massage parlours) and rumah ayam (prostitution dens). Not soup kitchens.

Image via Alvin Teoh

"What has the city done for the poor and the homeless?"

What has the city done for the poor and the homeless?

Image via themalaymailonline.com

In essence, he is trying to whitewash the city and not tackle the underlying issue of why there are so many homeless or indigent people around. Many of them suffer from mental problems and should be placed in homes, not cast aside, uncared for.

What has the city done for the poor and the homeless? Yes, by all means please go after the syndicates that bring in beggars, but also discern those who have nowhere to turn to for a hot meal or a shower.

"Have you ever sat down with these people and spoke to them as a human being? Have you met the people who run soup kitchens and walk around the city sharing food?"

Have you ever sat down with these people and spoke to them as a human being?

Image via Alvin Teoh

Have you ever sat down with these people and spoke to them as a human being? Have you met the people who run soup kitchens and walk around the city sharing food? And sitting down with the homeless to chat, to listen? Have you seen their efforts to house them? Clothe them? Counsel them? Find them jobs and take time off to encourage them week after week, month after month? Have you seen how these people risk their lives talking to people in the darkest corners of KL? Trying to get some of them into rehab? And when necessary, advising them to stay away from crime? Have you seen how sincere they are? How dedicated they are? And how they hurt when something bad happens to a homeless person that they know?

If you did, if you understood what empathy is, what human dignity is, and what listening is really about, you would not talk about the image of 'my' city. You would not blanket label all of them as lazy.

"Instead of warning charities and groups looking after the poor, at least provide them with a place and shower facilities for the marginalised."

Instead of warning charities and groups looking after the poor, at least provide them with a place and shower facilities for the marginalised.

Image via themalaysianinsider.com

"Mr Minister, you have just made Kuala Lumpur look worse than the beggars on the streets. Your ban just feeds your ego, not the poor of KL."

Mr Minister, you have just made Kuala Lumpur look worse than the beggars on the streets. Your ban just feeds your ego, not the poor of KL.

Image via Fahmi Reza Facebook

Things The Rakyat Wants Tengku Adnan To Know Before Banning Soup Kitchens

"The minister is saying the homeless are beggars. They’re not beggars; they’re struggling to make ends meet."

"Many street people have mental and physical illnesses, some were abandoned, some have drug or alcohol addictions. There are ex-convicts, transgenders, victims of abuse..."

"The reason for the rising number of homeless people in the streets of Kuala Lumpur is the same as everywhere else in the world – urban migration for better economic opportunities, wage stagnation and rising costs of living."

"Feeding the street people is not the main aim, though food is used to open up conversations. It's about listening, it's about doing what little we can, like jobs, encouragement, and getting people to want to go to rehab. It's a pin-prick, but every little thing help."

"Food distribution to the needy would not tarnish KL's image as claimed by Tengku Adnan but instead, would uplift its image as a city which upheld moral values."

“Poverty and hunger are not crimes, but do lead to crime if you don't help those in need.”

"Just by getting rid of poor people from sight in the middle of the city does not mean getting rid of poverty in the country. Treat the cause and not the symptom."

“Close all the pubs, rumah urut (massage parlours) and rumah ayam (prostitution dens). Not soup kitchens.”

"What has the city done for the poor and the homeless?"

"Have you ever sat down with these people and spoke to them as a human being? Have you met the people who run soup kitchens and walk around the city sharing food?"

"Instead of warning charities and groups looking after the poor, at least provide them with a place and shower facilities for the marginalised."

"Mr Minister, you have just made Kuala Lumpur look worse than the beggars on the streets. Your ban just feeds your ego, not the poor of KL."

On 3 July 2014, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan banned soup kitchens from operating within the city centre to curb begging and homelessness

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Things The Rakyat Wants Tengku Adnan To Know Before Banning Soup Kitchens

"The minister is saying the homeless are beggars. They’re not beggars; they’re struggling to make ends meet."

"Many street people have mental and physical illnesses, some were abandoned, some have drug or alcohol addictions. There are ex-convicts, transgenders, victims of abuse..."

"The reason for the rising number of homeless people in the streets of Kuala Lumpur is the same as everywhere else in the world – urban migration for better economic opportunities, wage stagnation and rising costs of living."

"Feeding the street people is not the main aim, though food is used to open up conversations. It's about listening, it's about doing what little we can, like jobs, encouragement, and getting people to want to go to rehab. It's a pin-prick, but every little thing help."

"Food distribution to the needy would not tarnish KL's image as claimed by Tengku Adnan but instead, would uplift its image as a city which upheld moral values."

“Poverty and hunger are not crimes, but do lead to crime if you don't help those in need.”

"Just by getting rid of poor people from sight in the middle of the city does not mean getting rid of poverty in the country. Treat the cause and not the symptom."

“Close all the pubs, rumah urut (massage parlours) and rumah ayam (prostitution dens). Not soup kitchens.”

"What has the city done for the poor and the homeless?"

"Have you ever sat down with these people and spoke to them as a human being? Have you met the people who run soup kitchens and walk around the city sharing food?"

"Instead of warning charities and groups looking after the poor, at least provide them with a place and shower facilities for the marginalised."

"Mr Minister, you have just made Kuala Lumpur look worse than the beggars on the streets. Your ban just feeds your ego, not the poor of KL."

On 3 July 2014, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan banned soup kitchens from operating within the city centre to curb begging and homelessness

Another Minister Blames Tourists As Reason To Ban Soup Kitchens

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