Homeless families: Kids

come first

WHEN the Ministry of

Community Development,

Youth and Sports (MCYS)

comes across a homeless

family, it will step in

'assertively' to protect the

children's interests, said its

minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

MCYS will ensure the children

have a roof over their heads,

so they do not have to camp on

the beach or stay at parks and

void decks.

'They must continue to go to

school. They must continue to

get access to good food, good

hygiene,' he added in his reply

to Madam Halimah Yacob

(Jurong GRC).

However, MCYS' priority is to

keep homeless families intact,

said Dr Balakrishnan. Hence, it

Many of the Malay families who live in tents by the beach (above)

ended up homeless because they sold their flats and spent the cash,

said Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education) Masagos Zulkifli,

citing cases handled by the authorities. -- LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE

PHOTO

A SEGMENT of the Malay community has been likened to

bankrupt English soccer club Portsmouth by Senior

Parliamentary Secretary (Education) Masagos Zulkifli.

Both spend beyond their means, he said yesterday during the

debate on the Government's proposed Budget.

He drew the comparison when he and Dr Ahmad Magad (Pasir

Ris-Punggol GRC) spoke on the issue of Malay families who

live in tents by the beach, and explained how they came to be

homeless.

Going by the cases which they have handled, it was clear that

many such families ended up homeless because they had sold

off their flats and spent the cash.

They used the proceeds to pay off the debts they had chalked

up and, having frittered away the rest, they ended up not

having enough to pay even the rent.

'They do not think about buying a new flat or where their

family is going to stay, even though they have young children,'

said Dr Magad.

Some stay with relatives, and others live in tents by the beach

while waiting for a rental flat.

The appearance of these 'beach communities' has made the

headlines in recent months.

Mr Masagos noted that this 'is often linked by the media to

the Malay community, which always faces challenges and

which has been described as a community that has been left

behind'.

He added: 'Some people also link it quickly to the lack of ability

among the leadership of the Government to solve the

problem.'

Even as he stressed that the Government and community

leaders would strive to help such families, he noted that 'we

must not forget the real reasons as to why they are stranded

there, and not be quick to point fingers'.

Figures earlier this year showed an increase in the number of

homeless people picked up by welfare officers in housing

Mar 3, 2010

BUDGET DEBATE

Life's not a ball for 'beach communities'By Nur Dianah Suhaimi

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Retail Therapy at a Click

Search

Nurture Your Child's

Potential

Exhibition & Seminar @

Suntec Singapore

(Concourse) on Sat,

10 April 2010, 10am - 8pm

Quick Search

Computer & Electronics Household & Personal Svcs

Health & Beauty Personals & Friendship

Pets & Pet Care Professional Services

Baby & Childrens' Needs more...

Sell your stuffs now !

JOBS CARS PROPERTY SHOPS

Singapore

The Straits Times Web

March 3 , 2010 Wednesday

Hello leonggsh1 EDIT | LO GOUT

SingaporeHOME > SINGAPORE > STORY

03/03/2010 Life's not a ball for 'beach communities'

straitstimes.com/…/STIStory_497125.ht… 1/2

estates, beaches and streets.

According to the Community Development, Youth and Sports

Ministry, a total of 253 people were picked up by its officers

last year, up from 123 in 2007. These people were from all the

major races.

Text size Discuss this Email this Print this

Ads by Google

ThinkPads for Work & Play Stylish & Reliable - it works! With Intel® Core™2 Duo ProcessorSU7300www.lenovo.com/ThinkPadEdge

Ovi Store by Nokia Download Free Games, Music Apps & Other Mobile Software.Register NowStore.Ovi.com

Singapore Dating Website Find The Singles Most Suited To You With Matchmaking PersonalityTest!www.be2.sg

Meet Singapore Singles Meet Local Singapore Singles Today. Don't Miss Your Chance. JoinFree!www.SingaporeLoveLinks.com

Singapore Property Find your dream home at good value. Make it a sound investment.www.dreampropertysingapore.com

Search

Archive

S M T W T F S

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 01 02 03 04 05 06

Take O ur P oll Site Map FA Q A bout Us A dvertis e Weather Email Us

SPH RSS News A lert STI Widgets News link NewsPost A NN

Services

Best viewed at 1152x864 resolution with IE 6.0 or FireFox 2.0 and above Copyright © 2010 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E | Privacy Statement | Terms & Conditions

03/03/2010 Life's not a ball for 'beach communities'

straitstimes.com/…/STIStory_497125.ht… 2/2