KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin today called on city dwellers here to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism in a bid to create a caring urban society.

He said in order for Kuala Lumpur to become a first class city, the spirit of volunteerism must be inculcated among the city dwellers, instead of waiting for contributions from non-governmental organisations.

"At present, the city dwellers' contribution towards urban wellbeing is still low. For the city to be a first class city, the citizens have to be first class people.

"The city might not be big and tall but the people need to be big and tall," he told reporters after opening the Pertiwi Soup Kitchen project here.

The project involves free distribution of pre-packed meals for the poor and the needy in selected locations across the city.

The distribution vans will be at the locations beginning 7pm, four days a week, beginning this weekend.

Raja Nong Chik also lauded the effort made by Pertubuhan Tindakan Wanita Islam (Pertiwi) and Kuala Lumpur Rotary Club in creating the project and urged private companies to also follow suit.

"We have to find a ways to help the poor because they are our fellow Malaysians, who not only hail from Kuala Lumpur, but also from Sabah and Sarawak," he said.

Meanwhile, Pertiwi chief Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim said for a start, the Soup Kitchen would operate at Jalan Chow Kit and Masjid India.