KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has dismissed allegations that homeless folk provided shelter during the movement-control order (MCO) are no longer being fed because of a lack of funding.

DBKL community development and urban wellbeing department director Anwar Mohd Zain told The Malaysian Insight that the homeless have been receiving food from civil society groups even before they were brought to the temporary shelters.

“Even before they were brought to the shelters, volunteer groups and charity organisations were feeding them.

“They volunteered to feed the homeless at the shelters and we allowed them.”

In the event that these groups are unable to provide food, DBKL will step in, he said.

“We have back-up plans. We will use DBKL funds to feed the homeless and later claim from the government.

“This is done for all expenses for the homeless that can be reimbursed.”

Since the MCO began on March 18, he said, 15 civil groups and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department have been providing food for homeless folk.

“They have been providing food since day one of the MCO.”

At present, there are 633 homeless individuals at 10 shelters in the city.

Anwar said the welfare department will assist if the need arises.

The homeless at the temporary shelters are under DBKL’s care until the MCO expires on May 12. The crisis management centre and Federal Territories Ministry will later decide the next course of action.

Those at the shelters were taken in from the streets in the early stages of the MCO, aimed at breaking the chain of Covid-19 infections.

On Monday, some movement restrictions were lifted to allow most economic sectors to resume operations on condition that health and safety rules are followed.

Malaysia has so far recorded 6,428 coronavirus cases and 107 deaths. – May 7, 2020.