Ku Nan most heartless of Najib’s men, says DAP on move out order to soup kitchens

Since the general election last year, members of the Najib administration have taken turns to anger and humour the public with their foolish remarks, but the federal territories minister takes the cake for being the most callous and heartless of ministers when he ordered soup kitchens to move out of Kuala Lumpur city centre, said DAP.

Party adviser Lim Kit Siang questioned if Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (pic) was inspired by Norway’s plans to criminalise begging when he issued an ultimatum to soup kitchens in the city to move out or face penalties.

"If Tengku Adnan is attempting to emulate Norway, perhaps he should first seek parliamentary approval before issuing his callous ban on soup kitchens in Kuala Lumpur," Lim said in statement today.

Lim pointed out that Norway had a gross domestic per capita of about US$100,000 (RM324,000) compared with Malaysia's US$10,500 (RM34,020).

Tengku Adnan made the headlines today when he said soup kitchens would be fined if they did not move out of the city by Monday.

He also said that NGOs were prohibited from feeding the homeless within a 2km radius in the city centre's Lot 10 shopping centre, which is in the heart of the Golden Triangle.

"Was this the type of explosive start Najib had in mind when he announced his expanded 35-men strong Cabinet last week?" Lim asked, referring to prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"Instead of introducing such punitive measures on beggars and soup kitchens, Tengku Adnan should engage all the relevant stakeholders first.

"He should have engaged MPs and non-government organisations on the best way to resolve the issue of beggars and soup kitchens."

Lim said Tengku Adnan should have also considered the socio-economic ramifications of poverty before acting in haste.

He noted that about six months ago, Najib had reportedly directed his Cabinet members to undergo mandatory media training “so that his ministers would speak sensibly and to prevent further recurrences of missteps which have made Putrajaya a laughing stock among Malaysians".

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek had attracted a lot of criticism when he commented on the subsidy cuts and price hikes last year.

Hasan said the rakyat should be thankful that they had 'sincere leaders' who prioritised the rakyat's needs above all else.

During last year's assessment rate controversy in the city, Tengku Adnan compared properties to women.

"If you enhance your property, it is the same as women. If you do not wear makeup, the price is cheaper, right? If you wear makeup, it is pricier. Is it not the same?" he said.

Putrajaya's economic czar Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar told the rakyat to stop eating chicken last year if the prices were too high and to switch to a cheaper alternative.

This was in the midst of rising food prices and the impending toll hike, and Abdul Wahid also advised the rakyat to use alternative roads if they did not want to pay toll.

"Najib himself was the subject of various Internet memes after his 'kangkung' and RM1 chicken gaffes," Lim said, noting that the kangkung issue also attracted international attention.

"I am not sure how effective has the media training been for Najib's administration as the most recent ministerial folly was by Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi."

Ahmad Zahid had, when commenting on the dumping of a bloodied severed cow’s head outside the home of Penang assemblyman R.S.N Rayer last weekend, said it was the result of Rayer's big mouth, referring to the 'Umno celaka' remark Rayer's had made in the Penang state assembly.

- TMI