PUTRAJAYA: The Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government ministry has asked the Federal Territories ministry to review the decision to demand the closure of all food serving kitchens within the two kilometre radius of the Lot 10 shopping complex in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
While understanding the necessity to relocate the feeding programmes from commercial areas, its minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said it was also important to address the realities of a city.
Responding to the public outcry following Federal Territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s controversial move to illegalise unauthorised donating to the urban destitute population, Abdul Rahman said it was also important to show compassion.
“The (Federal Territories) ministry is not being cruel in making the decision, but I believe they should review it as the homeless were not committing serious crimes,”
“We also do not want to discourage the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and good samaritans from volunteering to help the homeless as it is very difficult to find good-hearted people willing to lend a helping hand,”
“That is why it is preferred that they (Federal Territories ministry) should postpone the decisions until the matter was discussed with the NGOs,”
He said this to reporters during a breaking of fast event organised by the ministry, here, today.
Abdul Rahman said he believed Tengku Adnan, as a veteran leader, had understood the feelings of the public and would resolve the issue amicably.
Netizens took to social networking websites to express their dismay following Tengku Adnan’s public instruction for all soup kitchens operating in the area to close by next week, despite it being the Ramadan fasting month where Muslims were encouraged to show generosity.
Abdul Rahman, in defending Tengku Adnan, said the Federal Territories ministry had long implemented varieties of programmes to help the city’s homeless and hardcore poor.
“It is much like our ministry which had provided training to the homeless to uplift their dignity and quality of life through employment and housing opportunities,” he said.
“There are many considerations (on the matter) and I believe the Federal Territories ministry had good intentions,” Abdul Rahman said.