DBKL denies involvement in "pick up and dump" homeless operation: Loga Bala

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said it is not involved in the operation to pick up homeless individuals and "dump" them at distant locations as alleged by a Non-Governmental Organisation.

Federal Territories deputy minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan said the operation to relocate the homeless is done by another government agency.

"DBKL is not involved in the operation and it only came in when requested to provide two lorries and some helpers to help them.," he said after officiating the new covered pedestrian walkway and refurbished pedestrian tunnel connecting National Mosque and Dayabumi Complex today.
He said there was no reason for DBKL to get involved in the alleged operation as it has two homeless transit centers in Medan Tuanku and Jalan Pahang.
"The whole misunderstanding is because of the city hall vehicles used in the operation. The NGO jumped the gun without checking. In fact, DBKL is looking into having more homeless transit in the city centre," he said.
He said the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) conducted the operation on May 22 and those homeless picked were put in Rawang and Kajang.
"The NGO should be seeking an explanation from AADK and not DBKL," he said, adding that NGOs should check their facts before hurling accusations.
Loga Bala said DBKL is ready to provide assistance to whoever needs help with the homeless and all they need do is come forward and meet them.
On the 175m new covered walkway and refurbished 94 pedestrian tunnel connecting Dayabumi complex and National mosque, he said, they were completed by KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd at a cost of RM6 million.
Loga Bala added it was a CSR programme by the corporate company with the aim of providing safe and comfortable pedestrian walkways and also to encourage more people to use public transport to travel.