The management of Komtar Tower in Penang will be meeting representatives from a cleaning service company who are employers of two men arrested for allegedly beating beggars in the vicinity, according to Komtar assemblyperson Teh Lai Heng.
When contacted, Teh (above) said he was informed that the chief executive officer of PDC Setia Urus, representing Komtar's management, has set the meeting for next week.
"I have checked with the management of Komtar Tower. They confirmed the men are cleaning supervisors.
"Police have arrested the two men and the PDC Setia Urus CEO will meet with the cleaning service company next week," Teh told Malaysiakini.
"I don't think violence should be used," he added.
Police yesterday arrested the two men, who were seen in several viral video clips using a rotan (cane) on beggars at the Komtar Tower, which also houses the chief minister's office.
One of the videos referred to the suspects as “mafia Komtar” while another showed a disabled person who was bleeding from the head as a result of the beating.
Timur Laut district police chief Soffian Santong said the suspects, aged 43 and 27, had also assaulted the man who recorded the videos. The man later filed a police report.
'Homeless shelter in progress'
Commenting further, Teh said the situation around Komtar and the nearby bus station was partly due to the temporary suspension of a Welfare Department's programme that moved the homeless to a government shelter.
"During the movement control order period the Welfare Department had a policy that they could not shift the homeless people," he added.
He said the Penang government is also awaiting the completion of its first transit centre for the homeless, reportedly located nearby Komtar, along Jalan CY Choy.
Construction of the three-storey RM4.4 million building was initially expected for completion this month but Teh said Covid-19 restrictions had led to delays until later this year.
"Once the shelter is ready, NGOs and the state government will work together to offer the homeless a place to sleep, to eat and others.
"The public who wishes to donate could also do so at the shelter," he said, adding that the state government will also consider a ban on roadside distribution of aid.
It was previously reported that the transit centre built on a land area of 1,370 square metres will be operated by the Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Society. - Mkini
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