BINTULU — The Sarawak government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing homelessness through a structured and compassionate approach, as the Bintulu Division Homeless Transit Centre (TTG) is now fully completed and set to begin operations this October.
Sarawak Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, described the facility as a critical initiative to provide a safer, more dignified, and inclusive environment for homeless individuals in the division.
“We are very thankful to the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) for providing the location for this project. Previously, a temporary shelter existed but it was in poor condition. Instead of renovating, we decided to build an entirely new and dedicated facility,” she stated during a working visit to the centre on Wednesday.
TTG Bintulu is more than a shelter. It also houses a Community Social Support Centre (CSSC), which serves as a collaborative space for NGOs, community leaders, and government agencies to run welfare-related programmes.
Beyond basic needs such as meals, beds, and sanitation, the TTG will offer health screenings, personal profiling, counselling, motivational support, and skills training. The goal is to empower individuals with confidence and abilities to secure employment and live independently.
Dato Sri Fatimah also revealed that the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, has approved RM1.8 million to support the operations of TTGs in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri.
TTG Bintulu is the third centre to be completed, following Kuching and Sibu, while TTG Miri is expected to begin operating in August.
The initiative aligns with Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and contributes to five key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): eradicating poverty, achieving zero hunger, ensuring good health and well-being, promoting decent work and economic growth, and reducing inequality.
According to the Sarawak Social Welfare Department, homelessness in the state has risen by 13.68%, with 133 recorded cases in 2024 compared to 117 in 2023. Sibu remains the district with the highest number of cases.
TTG Sarawak is a strategic solution aimed at offering long-term support to the state’s most vulnerable, fostering dignity and inclusion for all.
