By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 6: The Sarawak Social Welfare Department has been called to act swiftly in addressing the case of a homeless woman who has been squatting outside a supermarket at Kenyalang here for over a month.
According to a statement, Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong said the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Kuching Service Team had reported the situation to the department through the proper channels following complaints received in early May, but lamented that the matter has not been resolved.
She said that although welfare department officers had initially engaged with the woman following the report, she claimed that the case was ‘dropped’ as they were unable to locate or contact her family.
“The inability to reach her family members must not be used as a justification for inaction,” she said.
She added that the State welfare department should not leave a vulnerable individual without any form of assistance or shelter, causing the woman to continue living in public spaces in a visibly distressed state.
Yong further added that during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting on May 28, she brought up the issue to Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Well-being Development Sarawak Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, urging intervention from her ministry, as well as saying that a police report was lodged to highlight the urgency of the matter.
“Unfortunately, to date, no effective measures have been undertaken by any relevant authority,” she said.
According to feedback from members of the public, she said, the woman remains in the vicinity of the supermarket.
“This not only raises concerns about her well-being but also affects the cleanliness and public image of the area.
“I will continue to follow up on the matter with the relevant authorities until action is taken to assist this individual,” she said. — DayakDaily
