KUCHING: The construction of a Homeless Transit Place (TTG) for vagrants in Sibu began on January 30 and the facility is expected to be operational by this coming August.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah revealed that the state government has approved a fund for her ministry to renovate the old Maksak Sibu House at Jalan Sanyan into a safe haven for the homeless.
“Once completed, the place will have a dining hall, laundry room, bathroom, toilet, counselling room, 40 beds, an operations office, registration counter, car washing area, consultation room, recreational room and a prayer room.
“The idea to have a car-wash is to provide jobs for the homeless,” she told a virtual press conference after chairing the first series of Coordination Meeting on Sarawak’s Homeless on Monday (March 1).
She further said that the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Pertubuhan Amal Kebajikan Shan Xin Chapter Sibu is the anchor operator of the transit place while the management committee will be led by Sibu Division Resident.
Other support provided for the homeless include financial aid from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), Baitulmal Sarawak and NGOs and rehabilitation services.
Fatimah also mentioned that the public who wish to offer contributions or donations may do so.