MIRI: Another temporary transit centre will be set up, this time in this division, to help those living life on the periphery to get back on the rails.
Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Sri Fatimah Abdullah who disclosed this here Saturday (Jan 15) said the first was set up in Sibu and that there were also plans to establish another in Bintulu.
She said the centre here was likely to adopt similar programmes that have been carried out at the pilot project in Sibu.
“The idea is to address issues involving the underprivileged in society, such as the homeless, because we want to help them find jobs as at the centre we will provide training skills so that they would be ready for employment opportunities,” she explained, adding that the ministry had identified 24 homeless people here thus far.
The centre will also provide physical mental health screening services, substances abuse detection and referrals to relevant agencies.
A venue to set up the centre has been identified and we are in the process of discussing with the owner of the premises, said Fatimah, adding that she would be in town on Jan 19 for the purpose.
Speaking after attending the Social Development Council’s intervention workshop programme here she revealed that the ministry was also looking into setting up a Community Social Support Centre in Miri.
“Someone has offered a place to set up the centre and if everything goes well, these (temporary transit centre and the community social support centre) two things will be implemented in Miri,” she said.
Also present during the the Social Development Council’s intervention workshop programme were Acting Miri Resident Jamilie Busrie and the Sarawak Social Council secretary Dr Zufar Yadi Brendan Abdullah.
