Mixed reactions to Ku Nan's ban on Soup Kitchen

While some welcomed the ban, others were up in arms against the announcement. Following are some of the reactions shared by readers on the Astro AWANI Facebook platform:

Roslan Rashid: “Sometimes I wonder how the millions of Bangladeshis and Indonesians can survive here. I know few of them. They work hard and can even send money back home. They say Malaysia is the land of fortune. Just don't be lazy.”

Mad Gocha: “Kurangkan pekerja asing di Malaysia. Contohnya, kilang-kilang dan perindustrian banyak orang luar dari Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia dan faktor gaji adalah punca utama. Kena selaras ikut keadaan semasa.”

Rajab Mohd Aris: “Zaman sekarang, perbelanjaan terlalu tinggi. Barang-barang semua mahal. Sewa rumah pun mahal. Kahwin pun mahal. Apakah tindakan kerajaan?”

Md Sabri: “Mereka (pengemis) seolah-olah penjaga bangunan, namun hakikatnya mereka adalah seperti pengemis keletihan yang terpaksa berehat untuk mengumpul tenaga baru untuk keesokkan hari.”

Muhammad Zahirudin Tahgudin: “Tegas dan buat hukum Hudud”

Redza Tky: “Berikanlah pertolongan kepada mereka. Sesungguhnya, mereka juga manusia seperti kita.”

Najihah Najwa: “All the best Ku. I know it is a bit harsh but some of them are taking advantage due to leniency. Keep up the good work!”

Fredolin Cuthbert: “Saya tetap akan bagi sedekah pada pengemis kalau betul dia susah. Walaupun saya akan disaman akan tetapi saya puas hati.”

Malien Ah Chong: “Orang kaya makin kaya orang miskin makin ditindas. Hidup umpama roda. Hari ini kau berdiri tegak mungkin satu hari kamu akan terbaring.”

Si Pungguk: “Kebanyakkan yang pungut sedekah itu bukannya susah sangat. Ada sindiket di belakang mereka. Sindiket itu yang kaya raya.”

Ariff Zaidi: “Kalau kita tidak mahu buat kebaikan jangan lah halang orang lain yang hendak buat kebaikan.”

Matjay Abdrahman: “Buat lah macam Amerika bagi gaji pada mereka yang tidak berpendapatan.”

Amir Amir: “Masalahnya perlu dikaji balik. Ini tak, terus denda dan ambil tindakan. Lebih baik jika dihantar ke tempat kebajikan.”

Shafrina Selamatt: “The choice of words used does paint an ugly picture to charity begins at home and not dump the charity to the neighbouring state. I believe there will be collection made to pay the fine.”

ENcik GOku: “Nak bagi sedekah pun jadi isu. Hai, dunia akhir zaman.”

Lopok Pilasut Anawau: “Give a man fish, then he have food for a day. Teach a man how to catch fish, then he have food for whole life.”

On Thursday Ku Nan told soup kitchen operators not to operate within a 2km radius from Lot 10 in Bukit Bintang. He said that NGOs caught distributing food inside the radius would be fined.

In an interview with Astro AWANI, he said that these NGOs are however still allowed to provide food outside the 2km radius (outside of Lot 10) or in a surau or temple.

Ku Nan said his ministry will work with the 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.