KUCHING: A total of seven homeless people in this city were rescued during ‘Operasi Bersepadu Menyelamat Orang Papa dan Gelandangan’ on Wednesday night. The seven aged between 17 and 77 years were rescued from locations such as Tabuan, Batu 7, Matang, Kuching Waterfront and around Kuching city. Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah also joined in the operation.
In a press conference later, Fatimah said that some of those who were brought in had lived on the streets for several years despite having family members. “Some of them also have jobs but their income was just enough for their daily survival. “Family problems were among the main factors why these people choose to become homeless and I believe there are still homeless people who have not been detected,” she said. Hence, she hoped members of the public can help provide information to the Welfare Department (JKM) regarding these homeless people that need to be addressed.
The operations which started at 10pm involved 12 agencies including volunteers from the Social Welfare Department, Royal Malaysian Police, Immigration Department, Kuching Division Health Office, National Registration Department, National Anti-Drug Agency, Social Development Council, Sarawak Islamic Religious Department, Anjung Singgah, Kuching North City Hall, Kuching South City Commission and Padawan Municipal Council.
In operation since 2012, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development’s ‘Anjung Singgah’ at Rubber Satok Road here provides various facilities for homeless people such as boarding, health examination, counseling, rehabilitation services and looking for jobs for them within 14 days.
