Over 4,600 beggars, vagrants saved by welfare dept since 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Welfare Department had saved 4,628 beggars and vagrants through regular and ad hoc operations nationwide from 2011 until August, this year.
Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the regular operations were conducted at least once a month involving enforcement agencies at the district level, while the ad hoc or sudden operations were carried out when the department received complaints from the public.
"The ministry tackles the problem of beggars and vagrants with care and compassion to help them receive proper protection," she said in reply to a question from Senator Datuk Yahaya Mat Ghani in the Dewan Negara, here, today.
Meanwhile, Federal Territories Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan said the relocation of squatters in the federal capital had become increasingly difficult of late due to the unreasonable demands made by them.
He said although public engagement sessions were held, there were squatters who asked for a high compensation sum, free house and made other claims, hence derailing the negotiations.
"There are also squatters who have taken their claims to court and using a court order to prevent the authorities from taking action against them."
He said this in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Kader on addressing the squatter problem and how effective it had been.
Loga Bala said squatters occupying government land or government project sites would be offered relocation to the existing People's Housing Project units at a monthly rental of RM124.
"DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) will give a consolation payment of RM1,000 for relocation to each of the squatter family involved.
"For squatters who stay on privately-owned land, it is the responsibility of the land owners to manage their relocation," he said. – Bernama