MIRI: A task force has been set up to deal with homeless persons who constantly loiter about Old Man Street here.
Mayor Adam Yii who chaired a special meeting with the task force committee members on Wednesday said it was also aimed at making the area a tourist attraction.
The task force is made up of the City Council, Police, Health Department of Miri Hospital, Welfare Department (JKM) , Resident Office and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK).
It will be led by councillor Leslie Lau.
“We have identified Old Man Street to be developed as a tourist attraction, in fact, the city council has requested for funding amounting to RM1.5 million from the federal Tourism Ministry for the initiative,” Yii told the media.
“We want to make Old Man Street a beautiful tourist attraction ..through this initiative, we are planning to put up more lighting in the area apart from conducting routine patrol and doing some engagement with traders in the area to arrange for events during the night,” he said.
Yii believed when the area is clean and brighter, it would deter homeless persons from loitering there.
He also proposed that the Petronas Sports Village at Jalan Datuk Tuah Johari be used as a temporary shelter to house homeless persons found loitering along the five-foot ways at the Old Man Street.
