BINTULU: The Women, Community Well-being and Childhood Development Ministry will meet with the new people’s representative for Jepak to address the issue of home repairs for the elderly and underprivileged residents.
Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the dire living conditions faced by the elderly and underprivileged in both Jepak and Bintulu as a whole, needs to be given immediate attention.
“I have already discussed this matter with my deputy minister, and we intend to raise it with our new representative soon.
“The Sarawak government has allocated funds for home repairs that benefits the elderly and those in need.
“It can be used repair the roof, walls, floors and bathrooms as well as building a different type of toilet for the comfort of the elderly,” she said to reporters in Kampung Baru Tengah yesterday (Oct 31).
This was following her visit to the houses of two Home Help Service elderly clients in Kampung Baru and Kampung Baru Tengah.
Fatimah was accompanied by her deputy minister Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam and Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor.
Regarding Home Help Service, she said there are 44 elderly clients in Bintulu – 29 in Jepak, eight in Tanjung Batu, four in Kakus and three in Kemena.
“This service is an initiative supported by the federal government through the Social Welfare Department, aimed specifically at aiding disabled and elderly individuals living on their own.
“It is done voluntarily by trained individuals, who will go to the homes of our identified target groups and provide assistance for them such as buying necessities, clean the house and be a friend to chat with.
“If they have no one to talk to, it can lead to depression and loneliness. This is what we don’t want.
“We want the elderly and the disabled who live alone to be able to continue to live in good conditions,” she said.
Aside from being assisted by volunteers, the elderly and the disabled are also given a monthly assistance of RM500 from the Social Welfare Department.
