JOHOR BARU – The Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) has been urged to set up a transit centre for the homeless, like those available in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, to address the issue of homelessness in the city.
State women, family and community development committee chairman Zaiton Ismail said the state's Social Welfare Department (JKM) and Darul Ta’zim Family Development Foundation (YPKDT) could not afford to build such a centre, as they have no special allocation for that purpose.
“I have discussed this with JKM and YPKDT; we have met several times, but it is not possible for them as there are other matters to consider namely in terms of staff, preparation, food supply and so forth.
“I hope MBJB will consider this as they may have a site to build this centre. Besides, in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the transit centres are under the supervision of Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Penang Island City Council respectively,” she told reporters today.
Zaiton said the state welfare department had been tracking and monitoring homeless people, most of whom are found in Iskandar Puteri.
She said the state government together with JKM had also rounded up 248 homeless people during the movement control order, placing them temporarily at the Gunung Pulai Wawasan Negara camp in Kulai.
“We identified the profiles of these people and those with mental or drug problems were handed over to the related agencies, while those with families were sent home,” said Zaiton, adding that some came from Sabah and Sarawak.
She called on non-governmental organisations to liaise with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society or the National Welfare Foundation if they wish to provide food to the homeless, to ensure that the goods are channelled to the rightful recipients. – Bernama, November 23, 2020
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