By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Jan 19: The decision to place a temporary transit centre for the homeless (TTG) in this division at a site that has been identified by the Ministry of Women, Children and Community Development will be known in two weeks.
Minister of Women, Children and Community Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said as the proposed site currently belongs to Samling, they would have to wait for the company’s decision before setting up the centre at the site, which located at Jalan Kubu.
The site was the former building of the Public Works Department (JKR) Miri.
“The Sarawak government led by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is committed and wants to ensure that the welfare of the homeless are prioritised, and one of the efforts is to establish the TTG so that they have a shelter to sleep in and to clean themselves,” she explained.
With the establishment of the TTG, Fatimah said, it would help prevent vagabonds from sleeping outside along the five-foot-way of shoplots.
“This morning (Wednesday), I have met with the director of Samling to discuss the matter, and we are looking forward for a fruitful outcome,” she said in Miri after presenting Chinese New Year goodies as part of the ‘Sejambak Kasih’ programme to 100 underprivileged groups.
The programme has been held for 19 years now, and this year’s programme was carried out with the collaboration of Dynasty Hotel Miri and the Sarawak Welfare Department.
Today, recipients received a hamper worth RM150 and cash of RM100 each.
The total number of the Chinese recipients in Miri for the programme are 695, with an allocation from the Sarawak Welfare Department amounting of RM268,050.00.
Fatimah disclosed that, 595 recipients who were not selected to attend today’s programme would receive RM100 worth in cash which to be credited directly into their respective accounts before the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Also present during the Sejambak Kasih event in Miri were Miri Mayor cum Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii, Miri division Reaident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf and Sarawak Welfare department director Noriah Ahmad. — DayakDaily
