KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — Homeless people in the country will be helped through joint programmes between the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to prevent the problem from becoming chronic, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

She said the ministry, through the National Welfare Foundation, would offer help to the homeless, starting with finding them permanent jobs to providing facilities like shelter homes.

“We have started the effort, but we need to help them by changing their mindsets because most of them are already comfortable being homeless. We cannot allow this to go on...we have to look after their health and well-being.

“Our vision is to ensure that they will not be homeless anymore. We have to get them off the streets.

“We will ensure the programmes are implemented because we just can’t let them wander around without anyone helping them,” she told reporters after distributing breaking-of-fast meal to the public in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, here, today.

Shahrizat said although the problem was not serious compared to the situation in some countries, there should not be any homeless people in Malaysia in the first place, because it has sufficient job opportunities and a stable family institution.

Some 2,500 packs of food were distributed to the underprivileged and passers-by in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

The programme was jointly organised by the National Welfare Foundation and Malaysian Red Crescent Society. — Bernama