Malaysia rounds up homeless ahead of Asean summit, accused of prizing ‘image over issue’
Simply moving people from one area to another will not solve the homeless problem, soup kitchen volunteers say
Around 545 people, including 180 foreigners, have been gathered since February in an operation known as KL Strike Force Aktiviti Orang Papa dan Kanak-Kanak, or “activities of the poor and children”.
Jointly led by several city authorities, the operation has targeted known homeless hotspots such as Bukit Bintang, Masjid Jamek and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, roughly 4km (2.5 miles) from the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, where the summit will be held next week.
In its latest round carried out in the early hours of Thursday, authorities said 101 homeless people, including 27 foreign nationals, were “rescued” and taken to the Medan Tuanku Homeless Transit Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
“This operation aims to foster a more conducive environment and safeguard the country’s image in the eyes of the international community,” Che Samsuzuki Che Noh, the director of the Federal Territories Social Welfare Department, told state news agency Bernama.
“In terms of food, clothing and basic needs, they are not neglected,” Che Samsuzuki said. “But when it comes to safety, health and the country’s image, these are aspects that must be addressed collectively.”
Familiar sight
Volunteer-run soup kitchens, which provide lifeline services to the homeless in a capital with only a handful of public temporary shelters, said such “performative” clean ups were a familiar sight whenever Kuala Lumpur hosted international events.