THE transit centre for the homeless in Jalan C.Y. Choy in George Town is expected to be fully operational in the middle of this year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said as of now, the construction works of the transit centre is almost completed.
“Once operational, we will work with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to better manage the place. We will announce this NGO soon.
“The transit centre will cater for the homeless in Komtar and nearby areas.
“We also know that some of them have their own house and live with their families but due to personal reasons, they don’t want to return to their homes.
“It’s alright and there is no problem with that. They are still allowed to live at the transit centre.
“After all, our objective in setting up the transit centre is to gather all of them in a proper place where they can live comfortably and their welfare can be taken care of.
“Once operational, a lot of programmes will also be conducted at the transit centre so that some may find meaning in their life again,” Chow told reporters after launching the charity project by Rose Charities Malaysia at Penang Seniors Digital Resource Centre at Codrington Avenue in Pulau Tikus today.
Also present were Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai, Rose Charities Malaysia chairman Datuk Lawrence Cheah, Rose Charities Malaysia trustee and adviser Tan Sri Mohd Yusoff Latiff and Chow’s wife Tan Lean Kee.
Chow said the RM4.9 million transit centre for the homeless was funded by the Penang government, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and private sector.
“The project was announced by me in 2018. It is to turn a pre-war house at 19, Jalan C.Y. Choy into the transit centre for the homeless.
“When completed, the centre would be equipped with 88 beds for the homeless, with separate dorms for men, women and the disabled.
“Also included in the plan are a workshop for residents to learn living skills, an administrative office, an open-air laundry yard, a collection centre for Mutiara Food Bank to help feed the poor, and a proposed gallery and Bohemian-style cafe specially for students to study and to have quiet discussions,” he added.
Speaking about the programme, Cheah explained that Rose Charities Malaysia has launched a charity project to assist 1,000 poor and homeless individuals including those from the B40 group and those living in welfare homes in Penang.
“We will start giving the aid in stages starting from tomorrow. The aid consists of food hampers and angpow (red packets).
“Each food hamper contains essential items like rice, cooking oil, beverages, medicated oil and others.
“The total donation that we received for this charity project is RM45,000 and we would like to thank Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for personally contributing RM10,000 for this project as well.
“We are fortunate that we have also received many donations from the public for this charity project.
“The public can continue to donate for this charity project so that we can help even more underprivileged people,” he said.
The public can donate via bank transfer to bank account number 8004307653 for CIMB under the name of Penang ROSE Charities Association or can call 012-494 6248 (Stella) for further inquiries.
Meanwhile, Chow also commended Rose Charities Malaysia for organising the charity project.
“I thank and congratulate Rose Charities as well as your corporate partners for having successfully touched the hearts of the needy in our midst.
“To my understanding, apart from the angpows that will be given out, each of the food hampers contains essential items like rice, cooking oil, beverages and medicated oil.
“These are everyday items which are not overly expensive or luxurious but sadly, they are beyond the reach of many in our community.
“This is especially true for those in the B40 group or daily wage earners whose income had been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years.
“The Penang government is aware of the plight of the B40 group and had channeled resources as much as we can to help them weather the storm.
“One of the initiatives is the ‘Pakej Bantuan Rakyat Pulau Pinang’ which we provided in three phases and amounted to RM174.52 million that helped in reducing the financial burden of the at-risk families and vulnerable communities.
“And I hope more charity organisations or NGOs will emulate what has been done by Rose Charities to assist the needy during these trying times,” Chow said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Chan Kok Kuan