Yeoh calls for review of homeless outreach operations

Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh has called for a review of the government's homeless outreach operations. On Tuesday, she joined the Social Welfare Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and other agencies to participate in the third KL Strike Force operation, where she observed the challenges faced by those on the streets firsthand.

Yeoh emphasized the need to examine data from the past two to three years of these operations to identify gaps in assistance and prevent individuals from returning to homelessness. While screening procedures were implemented, limited facilities and follow-up support led to many of these problems recurring.

During the operation, she noted issues such as a lack of identification documents, mental health treatment needs, and the presence of elderly people and children requiring protection. The minister stressed that the focus should be on improving the system to prevent homelessness rather than repeatedly conducting the same outreach operations.

She questioned the necessity of continuing these efforts if the same issues persist. The KL Strike Force, established in 2024, is a multi-agency task force dedicated to addressing public safety, order issues, including homelessness, illegal street vendors, undocumented migrants, and drug abuse.