KUCHING: The Community Social Support Centre (CSSC) project will be implemented in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Lawas, Mukah, Sri Aman and Kapit.
Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KWKPK) Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said Sarawak presently did not have an integrated referral, support, and social intervention centre to address the various social problems faced by the vulnerable, risky, and affected community.
She said her ministry, through the Social Development Council, had given the project priority under the 12th Malaysia Plan and as a catalytic initiative in the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“In line with economic and physical development and considering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of social issues in Sarawak is also showing a worrying trend in the rural areas. Social issues such as drug and substance abuse, property crime, domestic violence as well as sexual crimes against children and women, among others, affect the wellbeing of our community.
“The establishment of support facilities and referral for social intervention in the community such as CSSC Kuching is specifically for the disadvantaged, marginalised and affected communities. This include those who are homeless, victims of domestic violence, mental health issues, identification document problems and families with substance abuse issues, among others,” she said.
Fatimah was speaking during the signing ceremony of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) between Elica Sdn Bhd and KWKPK for the CSSC Kuching project on Thursday (Feb 10).
She said it was the commitment of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government for the agenda of social inclusivity where no one was left behind in the efforts to achieve a developed state status by 2030.
The minister noted social issues and problems were too complex to be addressed in silo thus integrated, collaborative and holistic approaches were required from all walks of life.
Government agencies, private and commercial organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and kind-hearted individuals must work together in the spirit of collective responsibility to care for Sarawak’s higher social wellbeing, she added.
“Through CSSC, we will be able to collaborate to provide social support transformation and integrated intervention referrals to the community by providing a channel for first social information destination (SIFIR) to detect, evaluate, screen, guide and provide counselling to individuals who are affected with social issues.
“Besides that, we can provide awareness, advocacy, treatment, rehabilitation and referral interventions for vulnerable, risky and affected individuals, families and community in social issues,” she added.
Fatimah thanked Elica Sdn Bhd, represented by its managing director Datuk Bobby Ting Sie Ching, and his family on their generous contribution as well as commitment to CSSC Kuching.
