By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 23: Domestic abuse must not be treated as a private or internal family matter, but as a serious social issue that requires early intervention and community support to protect victims from ongoing harm, said Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee.
According to a TVS news report, Tiang in a statement stressed that all forms of abuse, including physical, verbal, emotional and psychological, are serious and should never be ignored or concealed in the name of preserving family dignity or household harmony.
“Abuse in any form is not a minor issue and should not be hidden under the excuse of safeguarding family honour or domestic harmony,” he said.
Tiang, who is also Pelawan assemblyman, said that reluctance to report abuse cases only traps victims in dangerous situations and denies them their right to proper protection and assistance.
His statement followed the circulation of a viral letter purportedly written by a 22-year-old woman shortly before her death.
The woman died at Sibu Hospital on Jan 18 after battling cancer.
The letter, addressed to her father and shared online by her younger sister, allegedly details years of physical and emotional abuse inflicted by family members, drawing widespread public attention and concern over domestic violence and family welfare issues.
Tiang said the case should serve as a wake-up call that abuse within families requires early intervention and effective community support, rather than silence or inaction.
In this regard, he said the Community Social Support Centre (CSSC) has been established in Sibu as a one-stop centre to provide social intervention, case management, referrals and crisis response for individuals and families in need.
“The CSSC also offers temporary shelter and connects victims with relevant government agencies, healthcare institutions and non-governmental organisations,” he said.
He added that other planned support initiatives include women empowerment and skills training programmes, community mental health services, youth and children activity spaces, community food banks and soup kitchens, aimed at strengthening long-term social resilience.
Tiang further urged individuals experiencing domestic abuse, including physical violence, verbal threats or psychological intimidation, not to remain silent and to seek immediate help through hospitals with One Stop Crisis Centres (OSCC), Talian Kasih 15999, the Social Welfare Department, the police, or the Pelawan Service Centre at 012-760 9822.
Meanwhile, Sibu District Police Chief ACP Zulkifli Suhaili confirmed that police received a report on Dec 9, 2025 from a local woman who alleged she had been abused by her own family since 2013.
“Based on the report received, an investigation paper has been opened and preliminary investigations, including recording statements from the complainant and relevant parties, are being carried out to ascertain the facts of the case,” he said in a statement.
Zulkifli added that the case is being investigated under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a penalty of a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction. — DayakDaily
