PETALING JAYA, July 7 — The government should be thanking non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that run soup kitchens instead of trying to punish them, said social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
“We see these groups are actually more concerned than the government regarding the plight of the homeless and I feel the government should be thanking them rather than trying to punish them for a good deed,” Lee said in lauding the efforts of such NGOs.
“No one is forcing them to do it. They are doing it out of their own compassion.”
Lee was commenting on Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s statement recently that soup kitchens were barred from operating within a 2km radius from Lot 10 in Kuala Lumpur.
Tengku Adnan has since said he wants to work closely with the NGOs while City Hall was currently working to acquire and convert a few four-storey shophouses along Lorong Haji Taib into shelter homes or one stop centres for the homeless.
He added that a discussion with the NGOs would be held tomorrow on how to solve the problem amicably, including the way in which food is handed to the homeless.
He also said he supported NGOs which ran soup kitchens and that he had been a contributor himself.
Lee added, with regards to the proposed one-stop centre, it had always been the government’s duty to look into issues surrounding poverty.
“It has always been their responsibility. I hope this centre caters to everyone who actually needs help and that the government ensures the facilities are sufficient and properly run.
“It must not be a flash in the pan and it should be continuously sustained,” said Lee.
He also called on the National Anti-Drug Agency under the Home Ministry to help out the homeless who had drug problems.
“We must also look at the root of the problem as many of them come to the city looking for jobs and are without families. That is when they end up on the streets,” he added.
Lee said he was glad that the ministry was finally showing some good sense and compassion adding that the planned meeting between Tengku Adnan and the NGOs would be good to iron out any misunderstanding.
Kechara Soup Kitchen project director Justin Cheah said the organisation thanked the ministry for initiating the discussion.
“We will still continue to operate our soup kitchen as per normal pending the outcome of the meeting on Tuesday. We have not received any written notice to move our soup kitchen beyond 2km from the city centre,” said Cheah.
He added that the organisation was looking forward to meeting Tengku Adnan and hoped an amicable solution could be reached.
