Fatimah: Collaborative efforts needed to address complex social issues

SIBU: Social issues and problems are too complex to be addressed in silos.
In this regard, Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK), Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah pointed out that integrated, collaborative and holistic approaches are required from all walks of life.
“Be it government agencies, private and commercial organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and philanthropists. Together, in the spirit of collective responsibility and actions, let us do something and care for Sarawak for higher social well-being,” she told the media after chairing a meeting on the establishment of Community Social Support Advisory Board Centre (CSSC) Sibu here on Monday (Oct 16).
The Dalat assemblywoman hoped that cooperation, commitment and collaboration across sectors, agencies, NGOs and related strategies partners will continue to stand out and be robust through the upcoming Sibu CSSC facility or platform operate for the wellbeing of the community and social inclusivity in Sarawak.
On CSSC Sibu, she said it is to provide a reference facility, support and integrated social intervention in the community for vulnerable groups and affected by social issues in Sibu involving various federal and state agencies; private; NGOs; related volunteers and philanthropists.
According to her, CSSC Sibu will be housed at the Sri Rajang resthouse building in Jalan Awang Ramli Amit.
“Through CSSC, strategic partners can collaborate to do social transformation by giving integrated intervention support and referral in community, by providing among others; channel to report information on social issues, or social issue first information report destination – zero, to track, assess, screen, guide and support individuals who are stuck with related social problems/crises.
“Besides, on awareness intervention, advocacy, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and referral for individuals, families, and vulnerable, risky and affected (VRA) social issues or problems; and Capacity building for victims of social problems such as women and children; People with disability (PWD); and the elderly.
“Among the service components in CSSC Sibu are showcase assistance and social services and welfare provided by the government, private and NGOs; Training Centre for Women and Children; Place of temporary transit; One Stop Integrated Social Intervention Referral Services; Social Enterprise; Soup Kitchen; Food Bank; Youth Meeting Corner; Child Friendly Activities; and Psychological, Counseling and Community Mental Health activities.
“With CSSC Sibu operating later, we hope to have a positive impact, especially social inclusion and community wellbeing of vulnerable groups, VRA, who are facing social problems will be strengthened; increase in help-seeking rate and decrease the percentage of recidivists in prisons in Sarawak.
“Hopefully CSSC Sibu is able to be an intervention referral center and integrated social support in affluent communities in Sarawak. In addition, we also hope that CSSC Sibu can rekindle spirit of volunteerism in among all walks of life,” she stated.
Saying that CSSC Kuching is already operational from Jan 3 at Wisma Ho Ho Lim, Jalan Abell, Kuching, she said various social intervention and referrals programmes have been carried out throughout the operation of the centre.
It is to be a centre for NGOs to contribute actively to the vulnerable and needy, she said, adding that the uniqueness of CSSC Kuching has also courted visits from the Minister of Home Affairs; Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development Malaysia; The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); and various national and international NGOs.
CSSC Bintulu, she said, is to be located at Lot 4014, Bintulu Town District, Sungai Sibiyu, Bintulu where its construction has commenced and is expected to complete in May 2025.
Fatimah said the establishment of CSSCs in the state is in line with economic development and physical and post-pandemic effects of Covid-19, prevalence of social issues in the state, especially against 14 main social issues that KPWK focuses on through governance of the Sarawak Social Development Council, such as drug and substance abuse, property crime, domestic violence, sexual harassment against children and women, teenage pregnancy, marriage and divorce, mental health, bullying, cyber crime, aging, poverty, homelessness and identity document problems and other related issues which affect the community wellbeing and have started spreading to rural areas.
“Therefore, our ministry identifies CSSC as a priority project in the 12th Malaysia Plan and to become a catalytic initiative under Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 to be implemented in Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Mukah, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri and Lawas,” Fatimah added.
Among those present was Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam.