A STUDY to improve the Destitute Persons Act 1977 to deal with the issue of beggars is expected to be completed this September, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri said.

She said the ministry will announce its findings and the next steps that will be taken to amend the act in due time.

“Now it is still in the study stage, we are also improving the act related to senior citizens because it is necessary to look at all the acts that we want to amend in a comprehensive way,” she told reporters after the Rahmah Ramadan programme with the residents of Desa Bina Diri (DBD) in Kuching, today.

DBD is a special home for beggars and destitute individuals where they are able to receive care, protection and rehabilitation.

Last year Bernama reported that the study, which began in July 2022, would set the direction regarding the matter of beggars and homeless people as there was no specific source of authority and legislation for the operation and handling of such groups in Malaysia. – Bernama, March 25, 2023.