ALMOST 20% of the homeless people rescued in Kuala Lumpur end up back on the streets again, some the very next day, says Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias.

       “They are found roaming the streets again,” the Deputy Federal Territories Minister said when replying to a question by Datin Dr Tan Yee Kew (PH-Wangsa Maju).

       Jalaluddin cited an example where several homeless were rescued in a recent operation near Bangkok Bank in Kuala Lumpur and given shelter at a transit home in the city.

       “Despite placing them there, they went missing the very next day. I saw them loitering around Bangkok Bank area later in the night,” he said.

       He did not deny a suggestion by Steven Choong Shiau Yoon (Ind-Tebrau) that some of these homeless return to living off the streets as they prefer to get free handouts offered by volunteers from NGOs.

       Based on current records, Jalaluddin said there were between 700 and 900 homeless living off the streets in Kuala Lumpur.

       At present, he said those rescued were temporarily sheltered free of charge and provided meals at several transit homes in the city.

       He added that the homeless who were rescued were provided with skills training to allow them to gain employment in the public and private sectors.

       The deputy minister also said the NGO, including those based outside Kuala Lumpur, were welcome to offer free food to the homeless during the coming Ramadan month.

       He said these groups only need to notify Kuala Lumpur City Hall of their activities to ensure that there was no wastage of food during the distribution process.

       This must also ensure cleanliness and safety were maintained, he added.