KUALA LUMPUR – Sarawak recorded 1,048 reported cases of domestic violence between 2020 and 2021, according to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
At the Dewan Rakyat today, Deputy Minister Datuk Siti Zailah Yusoff (Rantau Panjang-PAS), said 31 domestic violence reports were received through the Talian Kasih hotline from January 2020 to September 2021 in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, data from police revealed another 1,017 cases from January 2020 to July 2021.
On divorce cases, Siti Zailah referred to statistics from the Shariah Judiciary Department that had 3,582 divorce applications among Muslim couples in Sarawak, while there are 3,582 non-Muslim divorce applications.
“Among the reasons identified behind these divorces includes misunderstanding between couples, anger management issues, emotional pressure and drug addiction.
“As for domestic violence, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) also provides assistance to victims, such as the five safe houses available in Sarawak.
“I urge those victims who need assistance from SWD to please contact the department as we are able to help,” she told Dewan Rakyat today.
Meanwhile, on disabled individuals, Siti Zailah said there is no need for those registered as disabled under SWD to renew their documentation.
She added that disabled individuals who are receiving financial assistance do not need to renew their cards annually, and only need to do if there is a change of category or subcategory of disability.
“They can also renew their identification cards if they intend to update their address or photograph.”
Up till September 30, there are 582,944 disabled individuals registered with SWD, but only those earning a household income below RM3,000 are eligible for assistance.
Siti Zailah said statistics until August 2021 show there are 92,265 working disabled individuals receiving an allowance of RM450 a month costing a total of RM329.6 million.
There are also 83,929 disabled individuals who are not able to work, receiving an allowance totalling RM106.8 million annually. – The Vibes, November 9, 2021
