First the rhetoric. Then come the warnings. And when the social media goes berserk about how stupid and heartless some words and actions have been, they will come up with denials or claim being taken out of context by the media. Yes, this is the vicious cycle that our powers-that-be indulge in, whoever is the ruling party. We have seen Putrajaya, Selangor and Penang indulging in this.

But the government or the minister have yet to clarify their statement on the cruel way they are going to deal with the beggars, homeless and those who keep them going.

Now to say that many Malaysians are tired of these circuses is actually an understatement. They are sick and tired. Some have chosen not to react immediately as they know that will inevitably lead to using the foulest of languages. So they say they are trying to see where these fat cats are coming from. Or what’s on their mind when they say these unthinkable statements or even think of saying them.

Let me tell you where they come from. They come from generations of rich and fat people who have been fortunate enough to be from a certain pedigree. Some have acquired all their riches from the political fathers and grandfathers, too. Others have filled their coffers with the help of political godfathers. And the contracts from the government, need I say how they are dished out?

Of course there are the self-made rich guys, let us not take the credit away from them. They deserve what they have got because of their hard work and who have nothing to do with corruption or privileges.

Does Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and those who agree with his style of demolishing the poor know where the poor and destitute come from? And for those who believe in the existence of the Almighty, do you know why the world is made up of people from all walks of life?

Like everything else, there is reason for everything. And among the reasons is one that is extremely important for a human being. You have to be human to understand and accept this reason. To me, it is a test from whoever is the Maker to see what kind of His creations are we. And I believe the minister has failed miserably and with that has shown how little we can trust this government to run our lives.

Whether the beggars are locals or foreigners is not the question. They are there because they cannot feed themselves and could be victims of huge syndicates. Get these scoundrels, get the pimps, get the thugs and gangsters, get the gun runners, get the drug peddlers and barons, get them all. Go for the jugular that is getting the priority right. That is called cleaning up the city or a country.

Closing both eyes

By going for the poor beggars and big-hearted donors, you are demolishing the poor, you are not eradicating poverty. You are killing the soul, not emancipating the poor soul. Your cleansing exercise is nothing but a façade. Because deep inside Kuala Lumpur, there lies the filth. Just walk around Chow Kit, Bukit Bintang and Pudu, and you will see how the authorities close both their eyes to the unfettered flesh trade that goes on there.

This is the reason why we have been reduced to Tier 3 of the US watch list on human trafficking. It is not the beggars that have made us leap into that dubious league.

Of course we all (including the police) know some of them are being used by syndicates. The government has admitted to this. So why haven’t they acted all this while? You don’t have to rope in the CIA or FBI to track down the operators, do you? But why the inaction all these years, we tend to ask.

The beggars, whether from syndicates or individuals, need help. This is basic. They need to be rehabilitated and made to realise that begging is not a solution to poverty. For this, you don’t need rocket science to put in an action plan but you certainly need a huge dose of compassion for this community and also understand their psyche.

All Tengku Adnan has got to do is go down to the ground with the NGOs in the city who work with and for the destitute and homeless. He will be enlightened, for sure. And while at it, do take a walk through Bukit Bintang and Chow Kit. See how easy it is to solicit the services of a callgirl or transvestite.

The days of invoking the law or coming up hastily with new ones are over. The people, with the help of the influential social media, don’t accept this style any more. You have to show compassion and a genuine sense of humanity if you want to reach out to them.