Fatimah (fourth right) looks on as a vendor representative exchanges documents with Noriah (third left). Also seen here are Harden (second right) and Rosey (fourth left). — Photo by Muhamad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The new Helpline set up by the state Women and Family Department (JWKS) has received a total of 29 calls since its setup last November.
The helpline 1800-22-5566, set up as a way for victims of domestic violence to reach out for help, is now toll-free. Its other number is 082-448866.
“Among the callers were Sarawakians living in Peninsular Malaysia who needed advice or counselling,” said Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
The initiative was launched at the State Legislative Assembly in November.
Fatimah was speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with new vendors for Wisma Wanita Training Centre (WWTC) at Wisma Wanita yesterday.
Since WWTC was established in October 2014, 12,296 participants have benefited from the four courses offered – sewing, cooking, beauty, and spa & massage.
The vendors for last year were Pusat Latihan Kraftangan Epal, Yahos School of Skills and Rafflesia Wellness Sdn Bhd.
The vendors for 2018 are SG Akademi Sarawak, Pusat Latihan Kemahiran Zurainas, and Teratak Kayangan. All are accredited under the Skills Development Department (JPK) and National Dual Training Scheme (SLDN).
Also present at the signing were Women, Family and Childhood Development Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus, Community Wellbeing Assistant Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis and state Women and Family Department director Noriah Ahmad.
Meanwhile, Fatimah responded to a viral story posted on Facebook about a woman living in a shack at a construction site with three young children.
The woman reportedly had problems applying for financial assistance from the state Welfare Department (JKM).
“I have asked JKM Sarawak to investigate this case. I’m grateful to all the people who contacted me and the department about this case. This is how it should work. If you see something that is not right, you can let us know. We will ask our officers to investigate.”
She explained that the woman was indeed a client and recipient of assistance until July last year. When she stopped checking in and could not be located, JKM officers went to her last known address, following which the department terminated their assistance to her.
“We have taken steps to get her to apply again for assistance. This time we need someone to tell us where to find her because she is known to move around. Her family members sometimes don’t know where she is.”
Fatimah added that she was also concerned about the woman’s young children.
“If the children are not getting enough care, we will have to step in with advice, and on an extreme case like neglect, we will have to give protection to the children under the law.”
She urged people to notify JKM of cases such as this so that they can be properly investigated.
“I don’t want people who want to help to be misled into doing so based on inaccurate information. Ask us. Community involvement is important when wanting to help those in need.”