Melaka: A total of eight transit homes, costing RM560,000, have been completed by the Melaka Housing Board (LPM) in eight state legislative assemblies (DUN) in the state as of mid-July. Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee deputy senior exco Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin announced the completion of these transit homes in Tanjung Bidara, Paya Rumput, Taboh Naning, Merlimau, Duyong, Lendu, Pengkalan Batu, and Pantai Kundur.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 'One DUN, One Transit House' initiative, formerly known as 'Rumah Bencana', was initiated in 2023 to provide temporary accommodation for individuals affected by disasters such as fires, floods, storms, and other emergencies. In addition to the completed homes, another transit home is under construction in the Serkam constituency, with plans to build more homes in stages across other DUNs, aligning with the state government's commitment to offer temporary shelter to disaster-affected residents.
Datuk Zulkiflee suggested that these transit homes be constructed near or within the State Legislative Assembly Development and Coordination Committee (Japerun) Office to ensure proper monitoring and management. He made these remarks after officiating the Duyong DUN Transit Home handover ceremony, which coincided with the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (WRUR) Programme, attended by Duyong assemblyman Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem.
During the ceremony, Zulkiflee also facilitated the handover of the transit home letter by LPM executive director Datuk Murad Husin to Mohd Noor Helmy. He highlighted that each transit home costs RM70,000, with accommodations and utility bills provided free of charge, covered by Japerun. Zulkiflee expressed hope that all 28 state assemblies in Melaka would soon have these transit homes available for those in need.
Meanwhile, Mohd Noor Helmy acknowledged that the availability of transit homes eases the burden of disaster-affected individuals, offering emotional support and a temporary safe haven. He mentioned that the maximum stay at the transit homes is one month, allowing more individuals in need to receive temporary protection.