KUCHING: The Community Social Support Centre (CSSC) is the first of its kind to be established here, particularly in Sarawak and in Malaysia, to tackle rising social issues.
Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said several CSSC centres would be established across the state.
She added that a few areas in Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Mukah, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri as well as Lawas had been identified for such centres.
“In Kuching, CSSC will be operating at Wisma Hoholim in Jalan Abell. Thank you to the owners for letting us use their building for free for five years.
“A pilot operation of the centre will start on Sept 28. Once the pilot operation is completed, it will officially be opened in November.”
She said this during a press conference after concluding the CSSC advisory board meeting here on Wednesday (Aug 24).
The ministry, through the Social Development Council (MPS), focused on 14 issues, including drug and substance abuse, property crime and domestic violence.
“Sexual crime against children and women, teen pregnancy, marriage and divorce, mental health, bully, cybercrime, ageing, poverty, homelessness and identity documentation issues.
“There are also other related social issues that we focus on that impacted the wellbeing of the community. This also has spread to rural areas, which we need to look into,” said Fatimah.
She noted that the CSSC is a main project under the 12th Malaysia Plan and an initiative under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 through MPS.
In addition, CSSC Kuching is a public-private-civil society collaboration to provide an integrated reference, support and social intervention centre in the community for groups at risk and affected by social issues or problems in Kuching.
Collaboration also involved various public agencies of the federal and Sarawak governments, private agencies, NGOs, volunteers and philanthropists.
This also allowed NGOs and agencies to provide various services to help groups at risk as well as to conduct programmes for those staying at the centre.
“The centre can be a one-stop-integrated social support and intervention referral services, a temporary transit place for the protection of family crisis victims and training centre for women and children affected by social issues and problems.
“Soup kitchen for the homeless and needy groups, community food bank for the needy, a youth cafe, activities for children and teenagers, mental health, psychological and community counseling services, and social enterprise room.”
Fatimah hoped that collaborations between agencies, NGOs, strategic partners and all related parties would continue through CSSC Kuching for the sake of community wellbeing and social inclusivity in Sarawak.
“Social issues and problems are too complex to be addressed in silo. Thus, integrated, collaborative and holistic approaches are required.
“Together, in the spirit of collective responsibility and action, let us do something and care for Sarawak.”
