BINTULU: The construction of the Homeless Transit Centre (TTG) near the Sebiew River Bridge is advancing smoothly, with Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) chief executive officer Datuk Muhamad Yakup Kari announcing a 30 per cent completion progress.
The project is anticipated to be fully completed by the end of this year, according to him.
He mentioned the effective collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, ensuring that the TTG project adheres to its schedule.
Yakup expressed gratitude to the Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, commending her vision for enhancing social and community development services in Bintulu.
He made these statements during a media briefing following a visit from Fatimah and her delegation, including the chairperson and members of non-governmental women’s organisations in Bintulu, at Wisma Bintulu recently.
Fatimah highlighted the close collaboration between her ministry and BDA in various aspects, particularly in social development.
“We have several joint projects, and BDA has facilitated our tasks in terms of sites. Having a suitable place allows us to implement these projects, as done by BDA, and we are grateful,” she said, adding that one of these projects is the TTG in Bintulu.
She stressed that her ministry is actively monitoring the homelessness issue in Sarawak.
“We are aware that the number of homeless individuals in major cities is significant, and as a state moving towards developed status, we also need to focus on this group.
“There are those less fortunate who need assistance and become homeless. As a responsible government and city, we need to address these issues.”
Fatimah also expressed thanks for BDA’s involvement and commitment to the TTG project.
“In terms of the facilities as planned, we will look for a suitable operator for this TTG, as we did in Sibu.”
She mentioned another project adjacent to TTG, which is the Social Community Sports Center aiming to address social issues in Bintulu such as drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, etc., and it is progressing well.
In another development, Fatimah congratulated BDA for establishing a childcare centre at the SeDidik operational workplace starting January this year, expressing that it demonstrates BDA’s concern for working parents who truly need support systems for their children.
“Along with the Emergency Fund for International Children of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), we want to see major cities in Sarawak have Child-Friendly Initiative (CFI).
“The establishment of childcare centers in workplaces is one of the initiatives to ensure our children are safe, well-cared-for, nurtured, and educated properly. The process of creating child-friendly initiatives has been recognised by UNICEF.”
The government, Fatimah stated, aims for holistic and economic growth in Bintulu with stable social development and a child-friendly environment.
