Soup kitchens can operate as usual, says Tengku Adnan

KUALA LUMPUR: Soup kitchen activities are permitted to operate as usual without any time frame but the cleanliness aspect will be stringently monitored by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (pic) said previously the ministry had set Aug 16 as the last date for the soup kitchens to operate.

"There is now no problem for any non governmental organisations (NGOs) to carry out their activities as usual. We have discussed with them and have identified temporary shelters for them to operate.

"My secretary-general and city mayor will issue a full statement on Wednesday on the matter. The public also needed to know we always sit down with the NGOs from time to time," he told reporters after officiating the Ex Army Association annual general meeting Saturday.

It was earlier reported all NGOs that conducted soup kitchen activites were only permitted to continue giving out food to the homeless until Aug 16, after the Aidilfitri celebration.

The date was agreed as the new enforcement date to disallow food or drinks being distributed to the homeless until it was within the two-km radius from the federal capital.

Tengku Adnan also said the ministry was in the process of giving urban allowance to DBKL personnel, with low income, to ease their burden following the high living cost in the city.

He said about 60 percent of DBKL's staff earned less than RM2,000 per month, below poverty line.

"We will try to resolve and discuss with the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs), Public Service Department and Chief Secretary to allow DBKL to pay the allowance," he added. - Bernama