A TOTAL of 84 vagrants residing at the transit centre, also known as the ‘Pusat Transit Gelandangan,’ in Jalan C.Y. Choy have successfully gained employment.
Penang Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the job matching was done through a collaboration with Penang Island City Council (MBPP), factories and private companies.
“Most of them work as cleaners, guards, factory operators and in other roles. We are glad that these people can now become independent and have financial support for themselves.
“According to our data, this transit centre has accepted 334 individuals who are homeless since September last year.
“Out of these, 290 have moved out from the transit centre, including 84 who are currently employed. As of now, this transit centre housed 44 people,” Lim told a press conference after officiating the recycling station at the transit centre yesterday (July 12).
She also thanked the private sector and non-governmental organisations for their continuous support in helping the homeless.
Speaking about the programme, Lim said the recycling station is a collaboration project between Penang Green Council (PGC), MBPP, Techom Metal and Riiicycle.
She mentioned that the objective is to encourage the people at the transit centre to practise recycling and waste segregation at the source.
Lim said the public also is encouraged to come to the transit centre and bring their unwanted items to be recycled.
Also present during the programmes were PGC general manager Josephine Tan Mei Ling, MBPP councillors Alan Lim Wei Lun, Koay Gaik Kee and Benji Ang Ming Quan.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siew Chia En