Fatimah: Temporary transit centre for homeless in Kuching to open this month
KUCHING (March 3): The temporary transit centre (TTG) here, aimed at providing shelter for the homeless, is expected to be operational this month, said Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. The Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Minister said the TTG Bintulu and TTG Miri were 87.16 per cent and 74 per cent completed, as of today.
“At present, my ministry, in collaboration with other strategic partners, has successfully operated the TTG in Sibu.
“The TTG in Kuching will be operational in March this year, while TTG in Bintulu and Miri are still in the process of renovation and construction, both expected to be completed this year,” she told a press conference here today.
She said this after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Hidayah Centre Foundation and Kuching Resident for the operation of TTG Kuching, with the former identified as the non-governmental organisation that will run the TTG here.
Fatimah recalled that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg allocated RM1.8 million in the Budget 2025 last year for the operation of TTGs in Sibu, Kuching, Bintulu and Miri.
She emphasised that this initiative serves to enhance the state’s social support facilities.
“With these TTGs all put in place eventually, we can tackle the issue of homelessness more effectively. Our TTGs are not permanent homes for the homeless but providing temporary shelter for them,” she added.
According to Fatimah, the major factors leading to homelessness are poverty, drug abuse, alcoholism, family disputes, and mental health issues. She noted that mental health issues can cause behavioural problems, which some family members find challenging to manage.
With the TTG, she said the state government aims to provide a clean and safe place for the homeless to sleep, shower and have meals.
“We don’t want them to squat or sleep on the five-foot way. This may be okay to them, but it is not okay to us. They can shower, change clean clothes, and we will also provide them with food at the TTG.
“Also, we will do screening to make sure they are okay. If they are drug addicts, we will refer to them AADK (National Anti-Drugs Agency); if they are mentally ill, we will refer them to the Sentosa Hospital,” she added.
Depending on the ability of the homeless, Fatimah said they will receive appropriate training.
“If they are untrainable, we will have to accept and then look for alternatives. We want to make sure the number of homeless is reduced, and that they lead independent lives and live a dignified existence.
“If they are without identity documents, we will need to work with JPN (National Registration Department) to address it,” she said.
Citing the statistics from the Sarawak Social Welfare Department, Fatimah said the number of homeless cases in the state increased by 13.68 per cent last year compared to 2023, with 117 cases.
Fatimah said a total of 74 operations were carried out throughout last year.
“Based on the records of homeless operations that have been carried out, Mukah, Kapit and Samarahan divisions recorded zero cases.
“Sibu recorded the highest number of cases at 48 (36.09 percent). For the Kuching division, a total of 19 cases (14.29 per cent) were recorded throughout the operation,” she added.
-Agency
