Efforts to protect and rehabilitate vulnerable groups by the Madani government under the Destitute Persons Act 1977 has so far benefitted over 200 persons this year in the Klang Valley which is set to witness an increase in tempo.

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry stressed that enforcement under the Act was not meant to punish destitute persons, but to provide protection, rehabilitation and support to help reintegrate them into society.

In this direction, the Social Welfare Department conducts scheduled, integrated and ad hoc operations based on complaints from the public, and collaborates with agencies including the police, local authorities and others.

These destitute persons who are taken off the streets will undergo screening to determine the suitable intervention necessary, including family reunification, and placement in Social Welfare Department homes for the elderly.

The ministry, through the National Welfare Foundation, also operates Anjung Singgah, which provides temporary shelter, food assistance, counselling, health screenings, job matching and referrals to agencies for the homeless.

Currently, the ministry is also reviewing the Destitute Persons Act 1977 to address the rising challenges such as the increase in the number of the homeless and the lack of specialised facilities for homeless persons with mental health issues.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE