JKM detains 987 destitute in 5 months; highest in KL since 2021
The figure was revealed by Women, Family and Community Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri during today's Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Nancy clarified that the term 'detained' is the legal terminology used in the Act.
'These actions are carried out by JKM on an ad-hoc basis, often triggered by public complaints, or through planned joint operations with other agencies,' she said.
Providing a historical context, Nancy stated that a total of 1,987 destitute individuals were recorded in 2024; 2,080 in 2023; 1,280 in 2022; and 1,528 in 2021. Since 2021, Kuala Lumpur has recorded the highest cumulative number of detentions with 1,742 cases, followed by Penang (1,288) and Johor (1,199).
Breaking down the numbers by age, 515 individuals were under 18, 5,068 were between 18 and 59 years old, and 2,018 were aged 60 and above. The ages of the remaining individuals were not confirmed.
The Destitute Persons Act grants welfare officers the authority to detain individuals for up to 24 hours before they are presented to a Magistrate's Court. Operations are conducted either solely by JKM or in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, including the Health Ministry, Immigration Department, National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), and various local authorities.
Responding to a query from Tampin MP Mohd Isam Mohd Isa, Nancy confirmed that the ministry has completed a comprehensive review of the 1977 Act. She indicated that several provisions were found to be outdated and will be replaced by a more practical legislative framework that specifically targets homelessness, begging, and urban poverty.
'We are working towards drafting a new Bill to address these issues in a more structured and targeted manner,' she stated.
In response to a follow-up question from Tumpat MP Datuk Hajah Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-PAS), Nancy revealed that many of those detained suffer from mental health issues or drug dependency. These individuals are referred to the Health Ministry for temporary care before being returned to JKM custody.
'For this case, the list is quite long. If we break it down by state and by category, the data becomes very detailed. So, if possible, I would prefer to provide it in written form, as the statistics are too extensive to present here,' she added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Gig Workers' Bill to be tabled on Aug 14
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gig Workers' Bill 2025, a legal framework aimed at officially recognising and protecting gig workers, is to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for its first reading on Aug 14, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the second reading would take place on Aug 26. "It is during the second reading that the Bill will be explained in detail and debated by MPs from both the government and Opposition before being put to a vote. "The vote does not require a two-thirds majority, just a simple majority," he said. He was speaking during the "Sembang Santai Teh Tarik Industri Gig" session organised by the Human Resources Ministry, which was attended by gig industry representatives and other stakeholders. Also present were Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and his deputy Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad. – Bernama
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Woman among three charged for smuggling Sri Lankan
KLANG: A woman and two men were charged in the Sessions Court with facilitating the smuggling of a Sri Lankan migrant through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Santhiya Darshini, 27, Janatharnan Appupillai, 46, and Sri Lankan national Vtheewaran Palani, 48, are accused of jointly facilitating the smuggling of a Sri Lankan migrant in transit on July 10. All three, who were represented by lawyers William Edwin, Donald Selvam, and C Surenthran, understood the charges, which were read in Tamil. However, no pleas were recorded as the case falls under the High Court's jurisdiction. The trio was charged under Section 26C of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code. This offence is punishable by up to 15 years in jail, a fine, or both. Deputy Public Prosecutors Anisah Pisol and Norhidayah Abdullah Sani requested that the case be transferred to the Shah Alam High Court, which the court allowed. No bail was offered. In a separate case at the same court, another Sri Lankan man, Antany Sujan Antany Ranjan, 21, was charged with possessing a fake passport to facilitate migrant smuggling at KLIA on July 10. The man, who was not represented by a lawyer, was charged under Section 26E of the ATIPSOM Act. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of between seven and 15 years, a fine of up to RM500,000, or both.
Daily Express
13 hours ago
- Daily Express
Understanding fiscal responsibility
Published on: Thursday, August 07, 2025 Published on: Thu, Aug 07, 2025 By: David Thien Text Size: Fraziali said there was a series of subsidies removal from eggs, chicken to diesel. Energy, water, the big one remaining will be Ron95. Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans may not be aware what Bank Negara Malaysia Assistant Governor Tuan Fraziali Ismail described at a recent Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu dinner event, as the 'Fiscal Responsibility Act'. It is actually known as the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Bill focussing on the Government's policies and strategies to ensure responsibility and transparency in the country's fiscal and economic policies for the people's wellbeing. Advertisement 'The Government needs money. The Government doesn't have much money. 'Malaysia is one of the countries where the income tax revenue collection in proportion to the GDP is one of the lowest. GST in the past got rescinded. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
