17 homeless bound for temporary centre after integrated ops

Facebook
X
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Fatimah approaches and speaks with the homeless individuals.

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS ​​EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

KUCHING: Seventeen homeless people were rescued from the streets during an integrated operation here which began on Friday night and extended into the early hours of Saturday.

The operation, led by the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development, involved 12 government agencies and over 130 personnel.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said as of 2:00 am, 14 men, two women, and one underage girl were identified.

“They will be receiving support services through the Community Social Support Centre, and will be brought to the Temporary Transit Centre (TTG) Kuching,” she told reporters after the operation.

Fatimah also said the operation led to the discovery of a man known as Pak Mos, who had been homeless for 30 years.

“Initially reluctant, he eventually agreed to follow the outreach team to the Community Social Support Centre and later to TTG, to receive help.

“We assured him that the centre is not a prison.

“It is a safe place where they can sleep at night, and during the day, they are free to go to work or continue their routine.

“This assurance is crucial because many of them highly value their freedom,” she said.

She explained that the TTG also provides food, clean sleeping areas, and bathing facilities.

“Tonight, Pak Mos also came up to me and spoke on behalf of his peers.

“When we help him, he will help us to build trust with others,” she said, adding that his influence had already persuaded others like Pak Juhai to accept help.

She said that once trust is built and the homeless individuals agree to be placed at the TTG, efforts will then include profiling, health screening, job matching, skills training and counselling.

“With the new profiling system, data can be shared among agencies to ensure more targeted and effective services,” she said.

On the number of individuals at the TTG, Fatimah said that the number remains fluid in Kuching and may vary from day to day.

“One day the number is more. The next day it may be fewer. Some are repeat cases, others are new.

“Just last week, someone went to the Hidayah Centre voluntarily after being unable to pay rent and the individual did not have a place to stay,” she said.

Fatimah said most importantly the government is committed to assist the homeless and ensure their well-being.

Fatimah approaches and speaks with the homeless individuals.

Related News

Most Viewed Last 2 Days