AADK denies Ops Selamat held to relocate homeless in the city

The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) today denied that its operation, code-named Ops Selamat and conducted for two days beginning last May 21, in the city was aimed at relocating the homeless.

The agency said it had no jurisdiction to relocate the homeless people.

"Last May 21 and 22, the Dang Wangi AADK conducted an integrated Ops Selamat with several other agencies to detect and detain drug addicts, as well as other offenders for offences under the jurisdiction of the respective participating agencies.

"The agencies included Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department, Immigration Department and the National Registration Department," said AADK in a statement.

It said the operation was conducted in the Chow Kit, Pudu and National Mosque areas, during which 81 people were detained when they tested positive for drugs.

Some of them were sent to the rehabilitation centre, and others released on bail, it said.

The statement was issued in response to reports by several news portals which claimed the agency was involved in the relocation of the homeless to several locations last month.

According to the reports, a group of homeless people claimed that there were taken by DBKL and left at several locations, including Rawang and the Karak Expressway last May 22.

Yesterday, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan denied a news portal that DBKL had picked up homeless individuals and dumped them at several locations outside the city in an operation last month.

He said AADK, which led the operation, should clarify the matter.