MORE people are losing their jobs and ending up on the streets, as Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has discovered as it rescues the homeless to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Homeless folk told DBKL officers that they have zero income after losing their low-paying jobs, and because of this, are unable to pay rent.

A DBKL source, who is involved in the operation to round up the homeless, told The Malaysian Insight that these people are happy to live in temporary shelters during the movement-control order (MCO) period because they get a roof over their heads and at least three meals a day.

“These are the new homeless. They have lost their jobs. So, they come out and stay in the streets, knowing they will be rescued and brought to the shelters.

“Since we opened these shelters, they know that they can get a place to stay, and that meals will also be provided.”

DBKL is in the midst of rescuing some 300 homeless folk to add to the 638 already in seven shelters.

With no other alternative in sight, these people find the shelters a safe place to stay until the coronavirus crisis is brought under control, said the source.

He said the new batch might not be “really homeless”, but after losing their income, they find the shelters a haven during the MCO, which is in its third phase till April 28.

“With all the rescues to be made in the next few days, the number could reach 1,000.”

So far, DBKL has set up seven such shelters, at the Tasik Ampang Hilir community centre, Sentul Perdana community centre, Setiawangsa community hall, Alam Damai multipurpose hall in Cheras, Desa Tasik sports complex and Seri Delima sports complex, as well as in Masjid India, which is under the enhanced MCO (EMCO).

With the number of homeless folk set to increase, DBKL said it plans to add another three shelters.

Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa has said the homeless people currently housed in these shelters will be given job opportunities when the MCO is lifted.

He said they will get specialised training so that they can be employed in the private sector or with DBKL.

If the MCO is not extended further, he said, those in the shelters could start their new jobs as early as May 1.

The government directive to break the chain of Covid-19 infections came into force on March 18. So far, the virus has claimed 86 lives and infected 5,251 in Malaysia.

Several areas in Kuala Lumpur are under the EMCO, which is essentially a lockdown, forcing small businesses to close up shop and leaving many people without jobs. – April 18, 2020.