KUCHING: Mental health assessment and counselling will be provided to the 40 Sarawakians who are now home following their ordeal in Cambodia.
State Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said it was best to let the ex-detainees rest and catch up with their families and loved ones first.
“Each individual is different. Some can cope but some cannot so they might need counselling,” she told reporters on Sunday.
She said some were quiet, and sometimes the silence could indicate something, and that was where the assessment of mental health came in.
Meanwhile, she said once the ex-detainees were fully rested, she planned to organise a programme to get them all together and share their experiences.
“They will be the ones to tell not only the youths but all not to fall for the same trick so that in future, others will not end up in the same predicament,” she stressed.
She said the incident was a turning point for them to strengthen their relationship with their families and to think about their future careers.
“That for us is something good that came out of it because we learn from our mistakes.
“Because it has caused a lot of anguish not only to themselves but also their family members,” she pointed out.
“Therefore, think twice first before you apply for any job because it is better to play safe.”
Asked what would be the next action by the state government regarding the case, Fatimah said the matter would be left to the police to investigate.
“We hope to know more about the case because further investigation can help us prevent a repeat of the same mistake.”
