Melaka: The Melaka state government aims to implement Transit Home programmes in all its 28 State Legislative Assembly (DUN) constituencies by 2028. State Senior Housing, Local Government, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin said that to date, 10 transit home units have been completed and are under construction, with a total cost of about RM640,000.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, each unit involves a single-storey detached house measuring 800 square feet, and the state still has 18 DUN constituencies to be completed. The state government is committed to ensuring that this project can be fully completed within the stipulated timeframe, but several matters, including current costs, need to be reviewed, Rais mentioned at the handover ceremony of the transit home for the Ayer Molek constituency.
The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (WRUR) programme for the constituency, which was also attended by State Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman. Besides Ayer Molek, Rais said the Transit Home programme under the '1 DUN 1 Transit Home' initiative has so far been completed in Tanjung Bidara, Paya Rumput, Taboh Naning, Merlimau, Duyong, Lendu, Pengkalan Batu, Pantai Kundur, and Serkam.
He further explained that the initiative, implemented through the Melaka Housing Board (LPM), reflects the state government's commitment to safeguarding public welfare, particularly for victims of fires, storms, and other emergencies who suddenly lost their homes. This accommodation is on a temporary basis, usually up to one month, allowing occupants time to secure permanent housing while helping them stabilise emotionally after facing a disaster. The transit homes are provided free of charge to victims, with the State Legislative Assembly Development and Coordination Committee bearing the utility costs.
Meanwhile, Rahmad, who is also the Ayer Molek assemblyman, emphasized the importance of the provision of a transit home in the constituency to assist residents affected by disasters and loss of shelter. Previously, victims had to be placed in community halls or rented houses, which incurred additional costs and lacked comfort and basic facilities. With the availability of a transit home equipped with basic amenities, occupants can now stay in greater comfort during the temporary period before obtaining permanent housing.