PARLIAMENT As at March, 2,194 homeless individuals received employment with adequate income to sustain themselves through four Anjung Singgah centres.

Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Azizah Mohd Dun said Anjung Singgah, a temporary shelter for homeless operating as a social intervention reference centre, also succeeded in getting 861 homeless people back to their families.

“The homeless people in Anjung Singgah in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Johor Baru and Penang were assisted from the psychological aspects through counseling and motivational talks to prepare them to return to better livelihood.

“They were assisted in getting employment in the cleaning services and security sectors and so on with the cooperation of the Manpower Department,” she told the Dewan Rakyat today.

She was replying to a question from Nik Mazian Nik Mohamad (PAS-Pasir Puteh) who wanted the ministry to state the efforts taken to assist the homeless in providing them shelter and daily living support.

Azizah said the ministry also placed homeless Malaysians at other shelters, for those 60 years and below at the Desa Bina Diri (DBD) and for those aged 60 years and above, they would be taken care of at Rumah Seri Kenangan.

She said DBD inmates would undergo rehabilitation, career and skills training such as vocational, agriculture and handicraft for a period not more than three years.

They were also provided with medical treatment, health care, counseling and religious guidance as well as recreational activities.

“For homeless individuals who have families, they will be handed to their respective families and would be considered for welfare assistance if they were eligible,” she said.

- Bernama