by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 7: Beyond being a safe haven for those without shelter, Sarawak’s Tempat Transit Gelandangan (TTG) or Homeless Transit Centre is fast becoming a place of second chances, where the homeless can reconnect with their families and rebuild their lives with dignity.
According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said that while the centre provides a roof over the heads of the homeless, its deeper mission lies in helping them find their footing again, often by reuniting them with loved ones.
“Many of them actually have families, and during every operation, our main priority is to reunite them with their loved ones,” she explained.
According to her, individuals aged 60 and above without mental health issues will be placed at Rumah Seri Kenangan, while others will be accommodated at TTG as a temporary shelter, not for permanent residence.
“TTG was established to ensure that those without a home have a safe place to sleep, take a shower, eat, change clothes and rest properly before going out to earn a living the next day,” she said.
Fatimah said the Ministry also provides various upskilling and job matching programmes to help TTG residents rebuild their confidence and independence.
“Some of them have successfully secured permanent jobs such as security guards. For those who are already employed, the government also provides rental assistance through the local authorities so they can rent their own homes and live with dignity,” she said.
Residents of the shelter also receive practical training in areas such as basic agriculture, fish farming, landscaping, and car wash services. Some have even become trainers themselves, passing on what they have learned to their peers, a gesture Fatimah said helps restore self-worth and pride.
To date, statistics show there are 42 homeless individuals in Sibu, while TTG Kuching currently houses 18 residents under the supervision of Cikgu Ani, who has been appointed as the head resident. – DayakDaily
