PETALING JAYA: A coalition of 19 non-governmental organisations (NGO) on Tuesday called upon the Government to abolish the Destitute Persons Act 1997, alleging it is used to detain the homeless without trial.
"The Act allows the Government to round up and forcefully detain the homeless in rehabilitation centres. Detainees are denied legal representation, as well as the opportunity to appeal the Magistrate's Court," said Yasmin Masidi, Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor's (Empower) communications and media officer in a statement, on behalf of the coalition.
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