Non-governmental organizations assisting Kuala Lumpur's homeless population have expressed that the city's new centralized food distribution system fails to address more profound, systemic issues. Representatives from Pertiwi and Kechara Soup Kitchen stated that while they support improved coordination, longstanding challenges like insufficient shelter space and poorly located centers remain unaddressed. They noted that formal coordination with city authorities, DBKL, has already been in place for years.
Pertiwi's president, Laili Ismail, emphasized the need for more accessible shelters, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly. Justin Cheah of Kechara Soup Kitchen pointed out that current transit centers are inconvenient for homeless individuals living outside immediate areas like Chow Kit. A volunteer from Dapur Jalanan Kuala Lumpur, Farhan Azahan, added that some homeless people feel restricted by center rules and hoped improved coordination would not create excessive bureaucracy for established aid groups.
Pertiwi's president, Laili Ismail, emphasized the need for more accessible shelters, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly. Justin Cheah of Kechara Soup Kitchen pointed out that current transit centers are inconvenient for homeless individuals living outside immediate areas like Chow Kit. A volunteer from Dapur Jalanan Kuala Lumpur, Farhan Azahan, added that some homeless people feel restricted by center rules and hoped improved coordination would not create excessive bureaucracy for established aid groups.
