KUCHING: The Kuching and Miri Temporary Transit Centres (TTG) are expected to be completed this November, providing much-needed facilities to deal with the homeless in the state.
Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said this is part of her ministry’s efforts to coordinate the establishment of three more TTGs in Sarawak, namely in Kuching, Miri and Bintulu.
“The TTGs in Kuching and Miri are set for completion by November of this year. We are currently in the process of renting suitable premises to house these facilities.
“The completion time of these two TTGs is far quicker compared to the Bintulu TTG as we are only carrying out works to renovate the premises, whereas the Bintulu TTG will be built from the ground up and is projected for completion by May 2025,” said Fatimah.
She said this at a press conference after chairing a Sarawak Homeless Management Committee meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here on Tuesday (Feb 7).
The Bintulu TTG will provide a more comprehensive range of facilities, including a Community Social Support Centre (CSSC), ensuring all the needs of its tenants are met during their stay, added Fatimah.
On the Sibu TTG which commenced operation in December 2021, Fatimah said the facility has received transit stays from 74 homeless people.
“Of that number, 48 per cent of them left the facility voluntarily and 15 per cent managed to get a job as of Feb 1 this year.”
Apart from that, she also outlined three initiatives to improve the operation of the TTGs which are part of her ministry’s goal for the year 2023.
“These include organising four series of engagements to develop TTG management and operations guide in Sibu (revision of guidelines), Bintulu, Miri and Kuching; providing competency training to officers at TTG Sibu to deal with the issue of homeless people with mental health problems and diversify appropriate social enterprise projects in TTG Sibu,” she explained.
