One Malay folk asked just now, "Dia mau RM300. Mana mau cari?" The homeless people we engaged with just now have no means to even have 3 proper meals a day, let alone a proper place to stay. How are they going to raise the money needed to pay for the fine? It is very unfair for the NRD to impose a fine to everyone who lost their IC, because not everyone can afford it.
What is worse? These folks are not entitled to aids from the government or other relevant agencies because they do not have an identification card. So, this vicious cycle goes round and round, and they will never be able to come out of the state they are in.
The officials told us if that is the case, we have to get an certification from either the Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) or Ketua Kampung to prove they are indeed very poor people. But hey, these folks are from Kuala Lumpur city, where in Kuala Lumpur city do you have a village or kampung? LFL asked if an MP's certification is okay, they said NO. Oh well, it is quite obvious these JKKK and Ketua Kampungs are politically appointees to a certain extent, and not a democratically elected leader of a particular community.
According to a volunteer from the coalition of NGOs helping these homeless people, a letter was addressed to Najib Razak (Prime Minister), Tengku Adnan (Federal Territories Minister), and Rohani Karim (Women, Family and Community Development) a day after Prime Minister Najib made visited the homeless folks on the 11th of July and promised to help. But till today, there is no reply from any of these Ministers.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/07/11/PM-visits-homeless-and-promises-help-Shelter-planned-for-them-to-sleep-and-shower/
See, the government can come up with beautiful names like Ops Qaseh or Desa Bina Diri, but this is not reflected in reality because the folks do not feel the kasih sayang, and there has been numerous complains from inmates in Desa Bina Diri, begging to be released. Have a look at this video filmed in the Sungai Buloh centre.
Why is this so important? It is because of the Ops Qaseh expected to be conducted anytime after Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Ops Qaseh is a joint operation between the police, Immigration Department, KL City Hall and the National Anti-Drug Agency.
Under the Destitute Persons Act 1977, these authorities are empowered to catch any destitute person and bring them to a magistrates court within 24 hours. The magistrate can then decide to place the destitute person under a welfare home for up to 30 days. Following a report made by the social welfare officer, a magistrate can extend the detention for a period not exceeding 3 years.
This welfare home may sound like a good initiative by the government, but guess what, it is in fact in a terrible state and there are those who are currently in these social welfare homes who are begging to be freed!
http://www.malaysia-today.net/homeless-beg-to-be-freed-from-sungai-buloh-centre/
http://www.theantdaily.com/Don-t-miss-these/Of-beggars-and-givers-Punishing-the-well-intentioned-to-solve-a-problem/
