Ipoh Operation Rescues 19 Homeless, Destitute Individuals

IPOH, May 13 (Bernama) -- A total of 19 homeless and destitute individuals were rescued in an integrated operation to address homelessness in the city today.

In a statement, the Ipoh City Council (MBI) said one individual tested positive for morphine, while another was taken to Anjung Singgah for temporary shelter and further assistance.

The operation, which lasted more than five hours from 9 am, was conducted in collaboration with the Perak branch of the National Welfare Foundation, the Social Welfare Department, the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), the Kinta District Health Office and the Royal Malaysia Police.

Among the locations covered were Jalan Foo Yet Kai near The Store supermarket, Jalan C.M. Yusuff, the area in front of Olympia College, and the vicinity of Ipoh Central Market and the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Ipoh.

MBI said it also assisted the Kinta district AADK in conducting urine tests on the individuals involved and helped transport them to the Social Welfare Department for registration and follow-up action.

The council said security control was maintained throughout the operation to ensure the safety of all personnel involved, including cleaning crews, and that no untoward incidents were reported.

MBI thanked all agencies involved for their close cooperation and said such integrated operations would continue from time to time to safeguard public welfare, environmental cleanliness and public safety in Ipoh.

-- BERNAMA