Turning the aspiration of a high-income, developed Sarawak as stated in Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 into reality requires more than just accelerating advancement in its economic sectors.
From the point-of-view of Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Kanak-kanak dan Kesejahteraan Komuniti (KPWK), it involves enhancing the well-being of communities sustainably, which in turn guarantees the resilience they need to tackle challenges and seize opportunities pertaining to the State’s socio-economy.
Hence, the ministry’s vision of ‘Sustaining Community Well-being for a Dignified Existence for All’, which also serves as a guide to ensure that no one is left behind – irrespective of gender, age, and physical and social backgrounds – as Sarawak progresses.
“Societal well-being in a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-racial Sarawak can only be effectively realised when members of the community have quality social relationships built upon strong foundation of mutual trust, respect, understanding and shared human values.
“This must be enhanced by a desire to develop a sense of collective responsibility and accountability to fully utilise all available human and non-human resources so that we can have balanced growth and development for all,” says Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development YB Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah in a written response to RAKAN Sarawak.
To that end, various initiatives have been undertaken by KPWK in line with the Social Services sector in PCDS 2030, which aims “to provide a high living standard, healthy and inclusive society with affordable and innovative service delivery for Sarawakians.”
Whether in forms of projects, programmes or assistance focusing on care, intervention, shelter and poverty alleviation as listed below, they are designed to help the vulnerable, at risk and affected individuals, be they women, children, the poor, persons with disabilities or the elderly:
- Integrated Social Development and Intervention System (ISDIMS)
- Community Social Support Centre (CSSC)
- Integrated Sarawak Social Intervention Programme and Community Support
- Special Needs Community Centre (SNCC)
- Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK) Sibu Phase 2
- Temporary Shelter for Low-Income Recovery Community
- Sarawak Care Medical Assistance for Children
- Elderly Social Support and Intervention
- Child and Family Development Programme
Most of them entail effective collaborations between the ministry and its stakeholders – including government agencies, private companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from numerous economic sectors – in order to ensure the provision of inclusive social benefits for every community in Sarawak.
Given its wide-ranging target groups, however, KPWK is confronted with a number of challenges to implement these initiatives, such as the need to prepare standard operating procedures, cost estimates and promotional plans; the scarcity of statistics and data sources; and the shortage of staff members.
“The overwhelming responsibilities demand greater manpower to meet the needs of the people,” notes Dato Sri Fatimah, adding that those working at divisional levels, particularly, are grappling with fulfilling the expectation of welfare recipients while carrying out other responsibilities.
In this situation, the ministry intends to improve its operation capacity by upgrading of its officers (whether by covering for duties or acting upon posts), as well as increasing the number of its staff members.
“Social issues in diverse communities, especially in Sarawak, are complex and require collective efforts from all walks of life. Social inclusivity (No One is Left Behind) and togetherness (Collaboration and Integration) are vital for balanced development in these challenging times,” comments Dato Sri Fatimah.
Holistic Approaches in Addressing Social Issues
In terms of realising its vision and mission as a whole, KPWK strives to maintain a positive work culture; cooperation with other government agencies and ministries, and dedication and compassion as core values and guiding principles in delivering quality welfare services for the people in Sarawak.
Such endeavour is also necessary for the ministry to be able to address social issues affecting the State via its services and programmes.
For instance, One Stop Committee bagi Menangani Isu Dadah dan Substans (OSC MIDS) is an intervention programme that has been set up at the state, divisional, district and grass-root levels since 2018 to address drug and substance abuse.
Meanwhile, One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committees (OSTPC), comprising various government agencies and NGOs, have been established across all divisions since 2014 to tackle the issue of teenage pregnancy in an integrated and holistic manner.
To date, there are 14 issues that KPWK is undertaking:
| Social Issues in Sarawak | |
| Drug and Substance Abuse | Property Crimes |
| Teenage Pregnancy | Domestic Violence |
| Homelessness | Identity Documentation Issues |
| Sexually Transmitted Infections | Sexual Crimes Against Women and Children |
| Marriage and Divorce | Mental Health |
| Cybercrime | Bullying |
| Poverty | Ageing |
Source: Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Kanak-kanak dan Kesejahteraan Komuniti Sarawak
“KPWK provides inclusive social services and quality early childhood development. (Through our initiatives), we are also committed in reducing poverty, managing disasters, improving social harmony and well-being, addressing issues of citizenship, and empowering women,” reiterates Dato Sri Fatimah.
Among the ministry’s latest efforts is the establishment of Tempat Transit Gelandangan (TTG) to cater for the homeless.
Four of these temporary homeless shelters have been approved in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri. So far, TTG Sibu that was completed in December 2021 have seen 59 homeless registered there, of which 19 remained in transit (as of 30 October 2022).
Furthermore, seven of the registered homeless were assisted to gain employment through KPWK’s collaboration with volunteers and NGOs, public and private agencies, religious bodies, educational institutions and community service organisations.
Another initiative is the setting up of Community Social Support Centres (CSSC), whereby eight of these “integrated social transformation centres” have been approved.
To date, the first centre has been in operation in Kuching since December 2022, with similar projects to be implemented in Sri Aman, Sibu, Kapit, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Lawas.
They serve as social support and intervention referral facilities for vulnerable groups formed via strategic partnerships between public and private sectors as well as civil society organisations for the purpose of:
- Acting as Social Issue First Information Report (SIFIR) to identify, assess, screen, counsel and provide social support for vulnerable and affected individuals;
- Providing social intervention awareness, advocacy, prevention and referral for treatment, recovery and rehabilitation; and
- Providing capacity development for victims of social issues including children, women, the elderly and special needs.
As a long-term measure, the ministry is enhancing the Sarawak Social Well-being Index (SSWI), which measures 10 pillars of social well-being: Family Institution; Capacity Building; Housing; Social Harmony; Public Safety; Social Responsibility; Social Space and Infrastructure; Good Governance and Practices; Environmental Sustainability; as well as Social Health and Services.
References:
20 OSCAs set up statewide to address drug and substance abuse. (2022, November 30). New Sarawak Tribune. https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/20-oscas-set-up-statewide-to-address-drug-and-substance-abuse/
Alverdtekoster, A. (2022, August 25). More CSSCs to be set up to tackle social issues. New Sarawak Tribune. https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/more-csscs-to-be-set-up-to-tackle-social-issues/
Alverdtekoster, A. (2023, January 8). CSSC Kuching aims to bring positive impact to vulnerable communities – New Sarawak Tribune. New Sarawak Tribune. https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/cssc-kuching-aims-to-bring-positive-impact-to-vulnerable-communities/
Chua, S. (2023, February 7). Fatimah: Sarawak to have 3 more temporary transit centres for homeless. Borneo Post Online. https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/02/08/fatimah-sarawak-to-have-3-more-temporary-transit-centres-for-homeless/
Jee, N. (2021, January 29). One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committee achieves KPI. New Sarawak Tribune. https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/one-stop-teenage-pregnancy-committee-achieves-kpi/
Laman Web Jabatan Premier Sarawak. (n.d.). https://premierdept.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/index/SPU
Lorenzo, I. A. (2022, October 12). First in the nation. TVS. https://tvstv.my/2022/10/12/first-in-the-nation/
Tangani gelendangan, Sarawak bakal tubuh tiga lagi TTG. (2023, February 7). TVS. https://tvstv.my/2023/02/07/tangani-gelendangan-sarawak-bakal-tubuh-tiga-lagi-ttg/ Website Rasmi KPWK. (n.d.). https://kpwk.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/index/
