Homelessness in Malaysia: a public policy issue?

Abstract

Homelessness is a growing problem. In 2008, for the first time in human history, more than 50% of the global population dwells in cities; estimates predict 70% by 2050. Malaysia's development mirrors this trend, with rapid increases in both population, and urban to rural population ratio. Legislatively, Malaysia's Destitute Persons Act 1977, provides for voluntary/involuntary admission to a welfare home, and the arrest of an "escaped destitute person". However, a public policy on homelessness, in the broader contemporary context of population growth and rapid urbanisation, is nonexistent. Qualitative and quantitative methods were utilised in this academic, public policy analysis of homelessness in Kuala Lumpur. Preliminary findings suggest a pattern of rural to urban migration is associated with homelessness and consequentially helplessness. In view of Malaysia's recent, current and impending, dramatic, demographic changes, this paper suggests that Malaysia must now develop a broad based, public policy on homelessness.