KUALA LUMPUR: The government has stepped up efforts to address homelessness and begging in the capital, including providing treatment for homeless individuals suffering from mental health conditions.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa told the Dewan Rakyat today that the Federal Territories Department (JWP) established the KL Strike Force: Homelessness committee on May 27 last year to tackle the issue.
The committee is led by the Federal Territories Social Welfare Department (JKMWPKL) and comprises representatives from JWP, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the Health Ministry (MoH), police, National Security Council, Immigration Department, National Registration Department, National Anti-Drug Agency, Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp), the National Welfare Foundation (YKN) and several non-governmental organisations.
“For 2025, the KL Strike Force carried out five integrated operations involving 444 individuals. Of this number, 184 were dealt with by enforcement agencies under their respective Acts.
“Homeless individuals found begging in public areas were referred to JKMWPKL, while those with mental health issues were referred to MoH for treatment at public health clinics,” she said in response to Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang).
Dr Zaliha added that the remaining homeless individuals were advised to seek temporary shelter at centres such as the Anjung Kembara Homeless Transit Centre and the Medan Tuanku Homeless Service Centre, both of which provided meals three times a day with NGO support.
She said the National Social Council (MSN) had also approved a series of interventions to improve the placement of homeless individuals with mental health conditions.
“These include regular MoH visits to welfare institutions to expedite the discharge of mental health patients, the establishment of an enforcement unit under the Mental Health Act 2001, and an increase in the number of gazetted psychiatric nursing care homes for patient placement.”
Dr Zaliha said job-matching programmes were also being implemented in collaboration with YKN, the Labour Department and Socso to help the homeless reintegrate into society.
“This includes interview sessions with potential employers and assistance in preparing CVs to improve their chances of securing employment,” she said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
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