Putrajaya now scraps ban on KL soup kitchens
In a volte-face, Putrajaya has ditched a controversial plan to bar soup kitchens in Kuala Lumpur’s shopping district and have also recommended several sites, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor said today.
The Federal Territories minister said the ministry would monitor the charities that run the soup kitchen in the federal capital city to ensure cleanliness. His comments came a month after the proposed ban caused an outrage in the country.
"We have identified several suitable locations for the NGOS to operate, based on our observation. Those who have decided not to move can continue operating from their base," he said after officiating Federal Territories Veteran Association Annual Meeting and Raya celebration in Kuala Lumpur today.
He said the ministry and City Hall would continue to engage with NGOs for discussions.
Tengku Adnan has previously set August 16 for soup kitchens to relocate their operations outside a 2km zone from the city centre as their service encouraged homelessness and reflected poorly on the image of the nation’s capital.
In his speech, Tengku Adnan said Putrajaya wanted to help the homeless and they should not be living on the street.
"I was accused of many things because of the homeless issue. I personally went all over the city to understand the issue.
“I talked to homeless people. There are those who are genuinely in need of help, there are those who have mental problems and there are also opportunists. The last group is the one that we cannot stand.
"We do not want to come and feed the homeless like feeding the chicken. There must be a better solution," he added.
Tengku Adnan said he understood the issue of the homeless as he was not born with a silver spoon.
"I used to live in a squatter settlement before. We lived everywhere. So I do understand the hardship in life and it was not my intention to make other people's life difficult.” – August 9, 2014.
