No one deserves to be homeless

‘Every homeless person has a story, a struggle and, very often, a dream that has gone unfulfilled.’

– Author unknown

It is true that homelessness exists in every country in the world. The real issue, however, is how effectively governments manage the problem and, more importantly, whether their policies and action plans can help lift these vulnerable people out of the vicious cycle of poverty and despair.

Before I deal with homelessness in Malaysia, let us take a serious look at the United States, supposedly the land of opportunities where many people make their dreams come true.

Homelessness and drug addiction have become intertwined social problems in many American cities.

Indeed, it is a very depressing sight whenever we watch videos of people apparently high on drugs, loitering or sleeping on the streets of American cities.

Some look helpless and disoriented, while others appear to have lost almost everything they once had.

It is a reminder that economic prosperity alone does not guarantee that everyone will enjoy a decent standard of living.

Behind the glittering skyscrapers and impressive economic achievements, there are people struggling to survive, often without a roof over their heads.

Back home in Malaysia, a walk along some of the older streets of Kuala Lumpur at night can be equally heartbreaking.

Kuala Lumpur has been my home for many years. It’s not uncommon for me to see people sleeping on cardboard sheets along shopfronts, under flyovers and in dark alleys. Some are elderly men and women who have nowhere to go.

Others are middle-aged individuals who have probably lost their jobs, exhausted their savings or come to the capital hoping to find employment but failed to make ends meet.

I have also learnt that there are many battling drug addiction, alcoholism or mental health problems.

Some may have been abandoned by their families, while others have become estranged from their loved ones through circumstances beyond their control.

According to a report published in April this year, a street outreach activist estimated that more than 500 homeless people were concentrated in several areas of Kuala Lumpur.

Many had come from other states, including Sabah and Sarawak, in search of work but ended up on the streets.

These are not merely statistics. Every homeless person has a story, a struggle and, very often, a dream that has gone unfulfilled.

This week, I was encouraged to learn that Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh is looking into finding a lasting solution to homelessness in Kuala Lumpur. Her move was what prompted me to pen this piece.

The minister has directed Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to review data gathered through enforcement operations over the past three years.

More importantly, she wants input from NGOs working on the ground before bringing proposed measures to the Cabinet.

I particularly welcome her view that repeatedly carrying out enforcement operations is not the answer if those rescued or screened eventually return to the streets.

The government must move beyond enforcement and adopt a more comprehensive approach.

This should include providing temporary shelters, meals, medical examinations, mental health assessments, addiction treatment and counselling.

Those who are fit to work should be helped to secure employment, obtain the necessary identification documents and, where possible, find affordable accommodation.

Elderly people, children, persons with disabilities and those suffering from serious mental illnesses require specialised protection and care.

Equally important is follow-up support. Government agencies should keep track of those they assist to ensure that they do not simply return to the streets after a few days or weeks.

Hannah Yeoh has rightly highlighted the challenges faced by authorities, including limited screening facilities and the difficulty of dealing with people without identification documents or those requiring mental health treatment.

These are practical problems that require coordination between DBKL, the Social Welfare Department, the Health Ministry, NGOs and other relevant agencies.

I hope the minister’s initiative will lead to a workable, long-term plan rather than another series of temporary operations.

As a proud Sarawakian, I am equally concerned about the situation in my own home state.

Our Sarawak Welfare Minister, Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, has previously acknowledged the challenges of dealing with homeless people who also suffer from mental health problems.

The difficulty is that welfare officers may be responsible for helping them, while medical treatment falls under the Health Ministry.

This is precisely why the relevant agencies must work together instead of allowing administrative boundaries to stand in the way of solutions.

I urge the Sarawak government to review the present situation, establish updated figures and identify the needs of homeless people in Kuching, Bintulu, Sibu, Miri and other towns.

Our welfare authorities should work closely with hospitals, local councils, NGOs, community leaders and families to develop practical solutions.

Where family reunification is appropriate and safe, it should be explored. Where it is not possible, alternative accommodation and continuing care must be considered.

I also appeal to my fellow Sarawakians to cooperate with and assist Fatimah and her ministry in tackling this problem more expeditiously.

Those who encounter people living on the streets can help by alerting the relevant authorities or established welfare organisations.

I am glad to relate that during the Covid-19 movement control order, I alerted then Federal Welfare Minister Datuk Nancy Shukri to several cases involving homeless people in Kuala Lumpur.

She directed ministry officers to investigate and offer assistance. Thank you, Nancy, for your prompt action to help those in despair.

That experience reinforced my belief that public feedback matters. Sometimes, a simple phone call or message can bring a person in distress to the attention of those who can help.

Ultimately, homelessness cannot be solved by governments alone. It requires compassion, public participation and a willingness to look beyond appearances.

We may not be able to solve homelessness overnight, but that is no excuse for doing nothing.

Let us lend a helping hand. For behind every homeless person is a human being who deserves dignity, compassion and a chance to begin again.

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. He can be reached at [email protected].