Sarawak plans to establish seven additional Community Social Support Centres, with the center in Sibu set to be operational in April. The other locations include Sri Aman, Mukah, Kapit, Bintulu (to be ready by May 2025), Miri, and Lawas. The Sri Rejang Resthouse will be refurbished to house the facility in Sibu, as announced by Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, the Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister. The first center, located in Kuching, has been operating since January 3. These centers aim to provide a space for individuals to address issues such as domestic violence and mental health, receive counseling, and seek assistance from relevant authorities.
On Monday, October 16, Fatimah stated, “We want to facilitate the responsibility of various departments, be it state or Federal, in promoting the well-being of the community through the establishment of these centers.” She further explained that the centers are aligned with the economic development and post-pandemic effects of Covid-19, which have led to an increase in social issues in Sarawak. These issues, including drug and substance abuse, property crime, domestic violence, sexual harassment of children and women, teenage pregnancy, marriage and divorce, mental health, bullying, cyber crime, aging, poverty, homelessness, and documentation problems, affect community well-being and have started spreading beyond urban areas.
The Sibu center is a joint initiative between the Ministry and the Sibu Resident Office. It will feature various facilities such as a soup kitchen, a one-stop integrated social intervention referral services center, consultation room, youth corner, activity room, common lounge, and food bank.
