Segambut DAP Lim Lip Eng today slammed the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) for installing bench dividers at several benches in the city.

Lim's criticism came after pictures were spread of the poor and homeless having to wedge themselves under the bench dividers in order to sleep.

“Installing the bench dividers is a heartless action and shows how cruel the authorities are in Kuala Lumpur,” said Lim (left) in a statement.

He added that the scenario was regretful especially since Muslims in the country will be celebrating Hari Raya in less than a week.

“The authorities should protect the welfare of the poor at times like this. They should be given aid, instead.

“The homeless don’t even have houses, now they are even being prevented from sleeping,” Lim said.

Remove the dividers

The DAP MP urged DBKL to remove the bench dividers as soon as possible.

The move comes after Ops Qaseh, the biggest operation against the homeless that has been recently launched.

Ops Qaseh was initiated by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, aided by the police, Immigration Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the National Anti-Drug Agency.

Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had also announced that fines will be imposed on soup kitchens caught feeding the homeless within the heart of Kuala Lumpur city.

A Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officer, who declined to be named, confirmed to Malay Mail Online that the dividers were installed deter the homeless from “turning the benches into beds”

“You think people will sit on the benches after they (the homeless) have slept on them? It is just to make sure it is not misused,” the officer is quoted as saying.