Bintulu's new transit centre for homeless set to open in October
BINTULU (July 25): The newly-completed Homeless Transit Centre (TTG) here should be operational this October.
According to Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah in a Sarawak Public Communications unit (Ukas) report, the centre provides a safer, more dignified and inclusive temporary refuge to the homeless community here.
'We are grateful to the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) for allowing the transformation of this site, previously an extremely dilapidated house, into a proper transit centre,' she said during a working visit to the site recently.
The building will also house a Community Social Support Centre (CSSC), meant to serve as a venue for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community leaders, and government agencies to conduct social welfare programmes.
Equipped with basic amenities including sleeping quarters, dining areas, and bathing facilities, the TTG is designed as an integrated intervention hub offering health screenings, profiling, counselling, motivation sessions, and skills training to help the homeless transition to independent living.
'Our goal is for individuals leaving this centre to do so with renewed confidence and skills that enable them to earn a living and reintegrate into society,' said Fatimah, who was accompanied by her deputy minister Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, the ministry's permanent secretary Datu Felicia Tan, Sarawak Social Development Council (MPS) executive secretary Riziandy Nawawi, and Bintulu Resident Office administrative officer Sharpini Daud.
The Sarawak government has approved RM1.8 million to operate four TTGs across the state — each in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
The Bintulu TTG is the third facility having reached completion, following those in Kuching and Sibu.
The TTG Miri, which has also been completed, is expected to become operational next month.
The establishment of TTGs is part of Sarawak's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, aligning with five key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): poverty eradication, zero hunger, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, and reduced inequalities.
Citing data from the Welfare DepartmentSarawak , Ukas reported 133 recorded homeless cases statewide last year — an increase of 13.68 from 117 cases in 2023, with Sibu recording the highest number of cases.
The TTGs are designed as a strategic initiative to address this issue by offering a humane and structured approach to helping displaced individuals rebuild their lives. Bintulu fatimah abdullah homeless transit centre
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