Decision on Soup Kitchens in city centre not final yet

The decision on banning soup kitchens from operating within a 2km radius of the Lot 10 shopping complex in the federal capital is not final yet.

Kuala Lumpur Soup Kitchens coordinator, Wong Kar Fai said all the soup kitchens, whether operating inside buildings or on a mobile basis could continue operating at the moment on the condition they observed cleanliness.

"The government will evaluate on Aug 16, whether to continue the ban or to lift it," he told reporters after a meeting with the Federal Territories Ministry, Wednesday.

Its minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor recently announced the ban in addressing the problems of vagrants, beggars and uncleanliness/littering in the area.

Wong said the ministry had agreed to the soup kitchen operators managing the shelter and drop-in centre for the homeless but its location must be discussed first.

Another coordinator of the Kuala Lumpur soup kitchens, Mandeep Singh hoped the 'town hall meeting' on the homeless could be held soon.

The meeting today between the ministry and non-governmental organisations on the issue of the homeless and beggars in Kuala Lumpur was also attended by representatives of Pertubuhan Tindakan Wanita Islam Malaysia (Pertiwi), Kechara, Pertubuhan Amal Firdausi and Pusat Komuniti Ikhlas Chow Kit.