Latest news with #NancyShukri
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
10 Appointed As New Members Of National Council For Persons With Disabilities
PUTRAJAYA, July 23 (Bernama) -- Ten individuals have been appointed as new members of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (MKBOKU) to strengthen policy direction and implementation of initiatives related to the persons with disabilities (PwD) community. The appointments, effective today until June 22, 2027, were announced in a statement by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) following the second MKBOKU meeting of 2025, chaired by KPWKM Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, here today. The new line-up comprises eight individuals representing the PwD community and two from the general public. 'They come from various backgrounds, including non-governmental organisation (NGO) committee members, retired civil servants, entrepreneurs, special education teachers, psychiatrists and occupational therapy lecturers from public universities,' the statement said. The meeting also took note of the progress of the Persons with Disabilities Action Plan (PTOKU) and discussed suitable monitoring and reporting mechanisms for various programmes under the action plan. KPWKM said the council also celebrated the 10 outgoing MKBOKU members from the 2023 - 2025 term, as a token of appreciation for their contributions and commitment during their tenure. In the same statement, the ministry stated that the Social Welfare Department remains committed to ensuring that MKBOKU continues to serve as a symbol of the government's dedication to upholding the rights and dignity of the PwD community, as outlined in the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008. 'The mutual understanding between ministries, agencies, and individuals in this meeting is hoped to translate into impactful actions for the PwD community, particularly in education, employment, physical accessibility, technology, healthcare and social protection,' the statement added. The MKBOKU meeting is the highest platform for matters related to PwD policy and affairs and plays a strategic role in coordinating and advising the government on key issues involving the PwD community across ministries, departments and agencies.
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
New bill in the works to tackle homelessness, begging and urban poverty
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is drafting a bill on homelessness, begging and urban poverty (gelandangan, pengemis dan kemiskinan bandar) to address these issues more effectively and systematically. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the bill would include both rehabilitation and enforcement efforts, so that intervention initiatives to assist the homeless were well-structured and effectively targeted. These measures, she said, aimed to help individuals regain independence and lead better, more meaningful lives. The ministry also plans to amend the Destitute Persons Act 1977, following a comprehensive review. "The ministry has completed a review of the act, aimed at identifying outdated or irrelevant provisions that require amendments to better address issues related to homelessness, begging, and urban poverty. "The ministry is studying the findings in detail to ensure a more holistic framework that provides protection and support in all aspects from enforcement, rehabilitation and social integration," she said in reply to Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin). Isam, in his supplementary question, had inquired about the findings of the comprehensive review of the Destitute Persons Act 1977 conducted by the ministry. Nancy also said the ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, had taken in close to 8,000 destitute persons between 2021 and May this year. She said 1,528 destitute persons had been taken in in 2021, followed by 1,280 in 2022, 2,080 in 2023 and 1,987 in 2024. "This year, up to May, we have taken in 987 destitute persons." She said out of the 8,000 destitute persons, Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number with 1,742 taken in, followed by Penang (1,288) and Johor (1,199). "Based on age breakdowns, 515 destitute persons were under 18 years old, 5,068 were aged 18 to 59, and 2,018 were 60 years and above. The ages of the remainder were unconfirmed." She said under Subsection 3(1) of the Destitute Persons Act 1977, the welfare officers were empowered to take destitute persons into custody within 24 hours before bringing them before a magistrate. She added that the Social Welfare Department conducted such initiatives on an ad hoc basis in response to complaints, as well as through scheduled or periodic operations, either independently or jointly with other enforcement agencies such as the Health Ministry, the Immigration Department, the National Anti-Drugs Agency and local authorities.
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
JKM detains 987 destitute in 5 months; highest in KL since 2021
KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Welfare Department (JKM) has 'detained' 987 individuals categorized as 'orang-orang Papa' (destitute persons) as of May 2025, operating under the provisions of the Destitute Persons Act 1977. 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.
Barnama
16 hours ago
- Health
- Barnama
7,862 Homeless Individuals Taken In Since 2021
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- A total of 7,862 homeless individuals have been taken in by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) from 2021 until May this year, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. The yearly breakdown is as follows: 1,528 people in 2021, 1,280 in 2022, 2,080 in 2023, 1,987 in 2024, and 987 up to May this year. Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number with 1,742 cases, followed by Penang (1,288) and Johor (1,199). 'In terms of age, 515 were under 18, while 5,068 were aged between 18 and 59, and 2,018 were 60 and above. The ages of some individuals could not be confirmed,' she said during question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. She was responding to Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin), who asked for updated homelessness data by state and age group, as well as the government's plans to address the issue, especially in major cities. Nancy said the JKM acts on public complaints and also carries out regular and joint operations with agencies such as the Ministry of Health, Immigration Department, National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), and local authorities (PBT). In response to a supplementary question on the 2022 review of the Destitute Persons Act 1977, she said the government had identified outdated provisions and found that a more practical and suitable approach is needed. 'The ministry is working on comprehensive strategies to tackle homelessness. These efforts include enforcement against beggars and the homeless to ensure initiatives are well-coordinated and focused on helping them rebuild their lives,' she said. -- BERNAMA
The Star
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Destitute Persons Act to be amended to tackle homelessness, says Nancy
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry plans to amend the Destitute Persons Act 1977, following a comprehensive review aimed at addressing homelessness and urban poverty more effectively. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri stated that a review of the Destitute Persons Act 1977 (Act 183) has been completed, and key findings are being studied as the basis for new legislation. "We are identifying provisions in the current Act that are outdated and require a more practical and suitable approach to managing homelessness and vagrancy, especially in the context of urban poverty," she told Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (July 23). In response to a question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN–Tampin) on government efforts to address homelessness, Nancy said a new legal framework is proposed to define more clearly the responsibilities of various government agencies, including at the federal, state, and local authority levels, and promote a more integrated response to homelessness and begging. The Ministry is now working towards drafting a specific Bill on vagrancy and homelessness to ensure interventions are more targeted and effective. "This includes rehabilitation and enforcement, so that efforts to help the homeless are well-structured and goal-oriented—ultimately enabling them to regain independence and live with dignity," she said. As of May this year, 987 homeless individuals have been assisted through enforcement and outreach operations coordinated by the Social Welfare Department. These efforts, she said, were carried out both regularly and on an ad hoc basis, with support from agencies including the Health Ministry, Immigration Department, National Anti-Drugs Agency, and local councils. "From January to May 2025, a total of 987 homeless individuals were helped through temporary placements, medical treatment, or social interventions, depending on their specific circumstances," she said. Under Section 3(1) of the Destitute Persons Act 1977, welfare officers are empowered to take destitute persons into custody within 24 hours and present them before a Magistrate for further action. She said enforcement is carried out responsibly, with attention paid to each individual's needs and well-being. Nancy also highlighted that many of those housed in Desa Bina Diri rehabilitation centres are not typical vagrants or beggars, but individuals with underlying mental health conditions. "Some have severe behavioural issues, and while they should ideally be under the care of the Health Ministry, they often return to our centres after short-term treatment. For instance, there are currently 82 people in the Cheras facility, and more than 300 in other locations," she said. She acknowledged the strain this puts on social services, but said the Ministry continues to provide care and shelter, including for individuals who require more secure, specialised environments. "For those deemed fit to work, we help them find employment. The situation is constantly evolving, but our goal remains the same: to ensure their welfare and help them rebuild their lives," she added.
