Federal Territories PAS Youth has described the phenomenon of begging in the capital is proof that Ministry of Federal Territories has failed in its bid to eradicate urban poverty and organised begging syndicates in Kuala Lumpur.

Deputy Federal Territories Youth chief Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff said taking action on beggars and those giving alms is not the solution to cleaning up the streets and image of Kuala Lumpur.

The Ministry should focus on these two issues to improve Kuala Lumpur’s image as a city that is peaceful and prosperous comprising of citizens with a socio-economic status that is at par with the physical development and municipal services offered in the city.

“Shelters for the homeless should also be established in the capital city to house beggars to prevent them from roaming the streets, thus ensuring their welfare by providing them with proper education and skills that will ensure them a better life.

“DBKL and MAIWP on the other hand, need not wait for this group to come forward, instead they must work together in tracking them down and providing assistance to them,” he said in a statement today.

By doing so, he said, Kuala Lumpur can be free from this culture of begging and simultaneously improving the standard of living among its residents.

Meanwhile, a group calling itself ‘Dapur Jalanan’ (loosely translated to Street Kitchen) has described the statement made by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, as a shallow understanding of the plight of the city’s lower income group.

The group, who have often provided free meals to the homeless in the city center, have urged the government to halt all operations to round the homeless, describing it as inhumane.

Dapur Jalanan has also called on the minister to join them on the streets and see for himself the real situation surrounding the lower income group.

“We suggest the government conducts a thorough research on the situation first and not simply try to clean up the streets,” the group said in a statement.

Yesterday, Tengku Adnan had announced that action would be taken against beggars and those giving alms when more stringent rules on the matter are passed.

He said the measures would be implemented in several hot spots in a bid to eradicate the culture of begging on the streets of Kuala Lumpur.