VOLUNTEERS working for several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate companies to help the homeless in the city, say the current government red tape is a hindrance to them.
A volunteer with the Pertiwi Soup Kitchen, Salwa Abdul Latiff Al-Yamani, said bureaucracy in the healthcare, registration department and agencies like Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) prevented them from helping the homeless in a more holistic manner.
“It is a major stumbling block when these departments ask us to produce permanent addresses and identification papers when we approach them on behalf of the homeless people,’’ Salwa said.
Salwa cited a recent case of a homeless lady seeking Baitulmal aid from the welfare department.
“In order to receive the aid, we need to open a bank account, and to do that you need to have a permanent address. How can we provide an address when the person is homeless?’’ Salwa asked.
* For story in The Star today.
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