MUKAH: A joint operation to save beggars and night hawks from the streets here was held for the first time on Tuesday night. The operation codenamed, `Operasi Bersepadu Menyelamat Peng emi s & Ge l andanga n Bahagian Mukah Tahun 2017’ was led by Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing , Women, Family and Childhood Development, Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah. The event kicked-off with a briefing chaired by Fatimah at the conference room of the new Mukah Administrative Centre also known as RECODA Building at about 9pm. Among matters discussed at the briefing were the objectives of the operation, strategies to be used, operational areas and division of participating groups.
Though the operation seemed to be a fruitless one as no beggar, night hawk or vagabond was seen during the operation, Fatimah considered it a good start for future operations.
“No one was seen and to be classified as beggar or vagabond tonight and if the event is anything to go by, it is a positive sign for this town. Anyway, just through one operation like this could not justify that it is as it is. For that, I hope anyone who happens to come across the target group to report to us or the relevant authority, and if possible come up with photographs via WhatsApp and others,” she said. The operation involved more than 150 participants from the relevant government departments and agencies, non-governmental organizations including those from Dalat District located about 50 kilometres away.
Also in the group accompanying Fatimah were Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Faridah Osman, Mukah Division Deputy Resident, Jack Aman Luat, heads of departments and local community leaders. The operation was definitely a stepping stone for future ones especially those which not only involves the relevant authorities but also the community at large. It is learnt that before this, Fatimah who is also Dalat State Assemblywoman had also led similar operations in other major towns and cities in the state.
