§ Canopi expressed shocked at the minister’s high-handedness in announcing the ban on soup kitchens and his intention to punish beggars and alms-givers. As our members and associates have worked constructively with the Welfare Department to assist in other forms of poverty, we can only conclude that such hostility stems from serious knowledge gaps on the part of the government on the issue, it said. Recent research has shown that those who are homeless are plagued with deeper socio-economic problems, coupled with gaps in government services at the local level. “The approach of on-ground service centres including soup kitchens is one of dignity and respect, going to where they are to build empowering relationships.” IQ said that the food distribution to the needy would not tarnish Kuala Lumpurs image as claimed by Tengku Adnan but instead, would uplift its image as a city which upheld moral values. The failure of the ministry and City Hall to engage with the NGOs involved in this, would only tarnish the name of the government, Abu Hafiz said, adding that if authorities were so concerned about the citys image, it should weed out night clubs and entertainment centres as well. Canopi added that the oppressive measures of rounding up, harassing and penalising beggars and vagrants would undermine the image of a moderate and compassionate government. § - See more at: themalaysianinsider/malaysia/article/christian-muslim-ngos-urge-government-to-consult-civil-society-on-soup-kitc#sthash.PmbiwA3T.dpuf
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 06:55:05 +0000
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