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Friday, July 11, 2014

Homelessness – a holistic solution needed

Ku Nan's suggestion is only one drastic solution to homelessness...there are many other holistic and effective solutions.
COMMENT
kunan_homeless_300By Rama Ramanathan
How does one respond to Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan’s recent statement that soup kitchens within a two kilometer radius of the Golden Triangle and the giving of alms to beggars, is now forbidden.
He justified it by saying that “homelessness and begging” has become rampant throughout Kuala Lumpur.
When you see a homeless person or a beggar, how do you respond? How do tourists respond?
I have often walked past the homeless without making eye-contact, without lending a listening ear, without seeking to help.
I have ignored them not only in Kuala Lumpur but in cities around the globe.
I have most often ignored them in India where giving to a beggar attracts other beggars like flies.
I have to admit to having mixed feelings about Ku Nan’s statement. On the one hand I think what he said is horrible, on the other what he said is realistic.
I am no fan of any who hold Ministerial posts in the present government; in my opinion they lack legitimacy, not least because we have way too many Ministers in the cabinet.
Neither am I a fan of opposition politicians who, in my opinion, are using the poor and the do-gooders as photo opportunities, to show they are more compassionate than Ku Nan.
What changes in the city, the nation and the national psyche do they think have caused the increase in destitution? What changes in policies do they think have caused the increase in homelessness? What new policies do they think are needed both in the nation and in the city?
The truth is, we are embarrassed by the homeless, we’d rather not see them and we’ll be (secretly) glad if they are just taken away from public places.
Some think people are homeless because they refuse to take their destiny in their own hands.
Some think the solution is to provide the homeless with food, housing and work.
Some think the solution is to cloth, feed and wash the homeless while persuading them to accept help to get out of the rut they are in.
Some are glad the homeless are accessible, so it’s easier for them to give alms.
The homeless come from many backgrounds…some are victims of domestic abuse, some are victims of disease, whether physical or mental.
Some are victims of poverty due to joblessness, unfair and inhumane treatment by employers, forced relocation in the name of development.
The list is endless…
How then does one respond to Ku Nan…
My response is to remember that every society has poor and marginalised people.
Sometimes the situation is of their own doing, but most times they are victims of circumstances, policies and the values of others. I am grateful to those who are reaching out to them.
My response is to challenge Ku Nan to address the issue, to harness the energy of the public officials and NGO’s to address “the plight of the homeless in the Golden Triangle.”
Instead of sweeping the homeless problem under the carpet, which effectively is what Ku Nan is suggesting, let us all together – minister, NGOs and the common man – come up with a holistic solution to the homelessness problem that is humanistic and effective.

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