Soup kitchens to stay

Soup kitchens in Kuala Lumpur have until Monday (July 7) to relocate out of the city centre if they do not want to be fined by City Hall, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said on July 3.

Jul 11, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Soup kitchens in Kuala Lumpur have until Monday (July 7) to relocate out of the city centre if they do not want to be fined by City Hall, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said on July 3.

Before serving lunch to his ‘regular guests’ at the Archdiocesan Office for Human Development in Jalan Bukit Nanas this afternoon, Alvin Santhanam had an announcement for the hungry vagrants seated at the long tables waiting to be served.

“First of all, we are not going to close our operations. Food will be served as usual from Mondays to Fridays during lunch time. The only time we will be closed is during weekends and public holidays.” The crowd of about 150 are made up of the homeless, some mentally handicapped, drug addicts and HIV sufferers. But they did not look too concerned.

The vagrants, of all races were hungry, and wanted to be served immediately.

Still, Alvin the coordinator of Carl’s Kitchen, felt that he was duty-bound to inform his guests that operations would go on as usual.

“He (Tengku Adnan) should not have said that without consulting the NGOs involved in such projects first. We could have worked this out,” said Alvin.

The meal on July 4 afternoon was simple. White rice, fried fish and dhal curry accompanied with hot black tea and a slice of watermelon.

All of them finished their meal within 10 minutes, after which, they got up and queued to place their empty plates and cups into a big basin.

They shook hands with Alvin and the other volunteers and thanked them before waving goodbye.

Apart from Alvin’s announcement, this has been the routine for the past 14 years at Carl’s Kitchen. And it is not going to stop. -- The Malaysian Insider

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