By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 24: The Social Welfare Department (JKM) is ready to provide counselling to a teenager allegedly involved in an attack on a teacher at an international school in Kuching, as well as the family and others affected, if needed.
According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Nancy Shukri said JKM was taking the matter seriously but would not rush to offer its services while police investigations were ongoing.
“We are ready if needed, but we do not want to rush into providing our services as the case may still be under police investigation. Therefore, we need to give them space to calm down,” she said when met by reporters after attending the Women and Youth Empowerment Through Crafts and Performing Arts (WEAVE) 2026 programme here today.
Nancy said the teenager would not be placed in a JKM institution if the child still had family members, unless specific circumstances warranted further action through the court process.
She added that JKM was also prepared to assist teachers and classmates who might have been affected by the incident.
However, she said the department respected the role of counsellors within educational institutions and would allow the relevant authorities to take the lead.
“We respect the education authorities, which have their own counsellors and with whom we sometimes work together.
“However, we are giving the relevant authorities the opportunity to handle the matter first. If they also need our assistance, God willing, we will help,” she added.
The case follows an incident on Wednesday (Oct 21), when a 16-year-old teenager allegedly attacked a teacher during an ongoing class at an international school in Kuching. — DayakDaily
