Ministry meets NGOs, Welfare Dept, Baitulmal over homelessness issue

The Federal Territories Ministry has held its first meeting with several NGOs, the Welfare Services Department and Baitulmal in an effort to find solutions to the problem of homelessness in the capital.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the ministry would also hold a 'buka puasa' do with the homeless soon to understand their situation better.

"We do not want them to continue to live on the streets. I pity the homeless, seeing their condition as I walk around in Kuala Lumpur.

"God willing, we will resolve their problem as soon as possible as the government is concerned with the people's woes," he told reporters after attending the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency's Nur Kasih Ramadan programme at Taman Pantai Indah Fasa 2 here Saturday.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said a shelter for the homeless, equipped with sleeping cubicles, bathrooms, lockers, and a medical centre, would be built in the capital and it would be ready in six months' time.

The prime minister made a surprise visit to the homeless at Kota Raya here on Wednesday night to personally see their condition.

At the event, Tengku Adnan presented RM10,000 to Surau Al Nurul Hidayah and gave away basic essentials to 500 poor people, orphans, single mothers, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Lembah Pantai UMNO division chief Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin was present.