Fatimah (centre) with members of Trefoil Girl Guides in a photocall at the site of the Edible Garden at TSP yesterday.
KUCHING: The holding of ‘gotong royong’ or mass cleaning activities at correctional institutions must be encouraged as a conduit to show that society at large still cares for the wellbeing of residents in these institutions.
Women, Welfare and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, who pointed this out, said activities which contribute to beautification of such institutions will have a positive impact on the residents.
“That is why the government always promotes such activities, as a way to show concern for those staying in correctional institutions,” she said.
She was speaking to reporters at the ‘Gotong Royong Taman Seri Puteri ku Ceria’ held at Taman Seri Puteri (TSP) Telaga Air recently.
“The impact might not be felt directly, but through the process, the residents can feel how society still cares about them,” she added.
As such, she urged the sectors in society to work together as the concept lessens the burden and work is completed faster.
Earlier at the event, Fatimah in her speech said residents of Taman Seri Puteri were given rehabilitation and intervention steps to develop good character when they left the home.
“They are taught sewing, cooking and haircuts so they can apply these skills if they venture into entrepreneurship,” she added.
She later lauded the effort by Trefoil Girl Guides who have committed to hold the ‘gotong-royong’ event as their monthly programme at TSP.
Apart from cleaning the home, the programme yesterday also saw the planting of edible plants in the compound, a programme by Trefoil Girl Guide to create an Edible Garden inside TSP.
Among the donations given for the programme were a water jet donated by from KTS Holdings, RM8,250 from Techsar Global and flowers from the Kuching City North Commission (DBKU).
A total of 230 members of the Army (ATM), Trefoil Girl Guides, the Kuching City North Commission (DBKU), and staff of TSP participated in the event yesterday.
Also present were former Head of State Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin wife’s Toh Puan Norkiah, Eastern Region Commander Lt Gen Datuk Mohd Zaki Mokhtar and Welfare Department director Abg Shamshuddin Abg Seruji.