(From left) Mohamad Razi, community leader Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau and Abby holding the donation boxes at PETRONAS Lanang Barat in Sibu.
CASH donation boxes to raise funds for transit centres sheltering the homeless (TTG) will be placed at all PETRONAS stations in Sarawak.
Sarawak Deputy Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Mohamad Razi Sitam said under the corporate social responsibility programme by PETRONAS, the boxes would be placed in Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Kuching.
“The TTG in Sibu will be used as a benchmark,” he said at a ceremony to place the first box at PETRONAS Lanang Barat in Sibu.
“The centre in Bintulu will be built with the cooperation of Bintulu Development Authority.”
Mohamad Razi, who is also Saribas assemblyman, said homelessness was caused by various factors including poverty and mental illness.
TTG, he said, was not meant to house the homeless permanently.
“It is a place where they can stay temporarily until they can get back on their feet.”
Those with mental problems will be referred to the psychiatric unit of government hospitals, he said.
PETRONAS regional sales manager Abby Sukardy Mohamad said it was one of the strategic partners of TTG Sibu.
“A TTG collection box will be placed at the cashier counter at 15 stations in Sibu.
“We will also sell handwoven baskets at seven stations in Sibu including Lanang Barat to raise funds,” he said.
