'I know the rules of almsgiving' - Ku Nan
Irwan Muhammad Zain
July 3, 2014 18:49 MYT
July 3, 2014 18:49 MYT
Ku Nan has become the centre of controversy with his statement that soup kitchens would not be allowed within a two km-radius of Lot 10
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor became the centre of a controversy following an announcement that Soup Kitchen would not be allowed to operate within a 2-km radius of Lot 10.
His announcement became a sizzling topic of discussion among Netizens with many claiming that the Minister is prohibiting KL citizens from giving alms to beggars and the homeless.
Astro AWANI met up with Ku Nan at his office seeking explanation and an approximately an hour before the scheduled news outlets were rife with news that Ku Nan has issued a stern warning for NGOs -- which have been responsible in providing food regularly to the homeless in the city -- to move elsewhere.
“I do know the Islamic rules of giving alms, and sometimes I feel sad when some people label me as a person who does not know about Islamic rules,” he said when asked about the matter.
He requested those involved especially the NGOs to avoid from causing confusion among the people, as he added that they are still allowed to provide food outside the 2-km radius (outside of Lot 10), or in surau or temples.
“This is a tourist attraction and I don’t want this area to be filthy and filled with rats. (Some) foreign newspapers have labeled Kuala Lumpur as the city of rat,” he said.
Ku Nan said his ministry will work with City Hall to identify suitable areas for food distribution so that the NGOs can continue their voluntary work.
However, he stressed that due to this free food, the beggars who were mostly given jobs prefer to return to begging.
“They are lazy to work because people have been giving them free food,” he said.
Ku Nan revealed that because the beggars are given free food, some of them have made begging into a career and are able to stay in three-star hotels.
“There are young beggars who stay in hotels such as the Federal Hotel in Jalan Bukit Bintang and they are fed by these NGOs. I apologise if there are people who are not comfortable with my decision and move but, believe me, it is for everyone’s good."