logo
Sarawak launches digital system to streamline homeless support at TTG Kuching

Sarawak launches digital system to streamline homeless support at TTG Kuching

Borneo Post11-07-2025
Fatimah speaks to reporters while Tan (left) and Hilmy (right) look on. – Photo by Aileen Yap
KUCHING (July 11): Sarawak has rolled out the Integrated Social Management System (ISMS) at the newly launched Kuching Temporary Transit Centre (TTG), enabling multi-agency collaboration to provide swift, coordinated, and dignified support for the city's homeless population.
State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said ISMS digitally stores each individual's background, medical records, and support history, allowing seamless data sharing and intervention across departments.
'This system allows for real-time profiling and data sharing, from health screenings and referrals to job-matching and welfare assistance,' she told reporters after launching the TTG Kuching today.
She describing it as a 'seamless and dignified' solution to a complex social issue.
Developed to strengthen the TTG model in Sarawak, ISMS ensures that every homeless individual admitted to the centre is screened, referred for hospital treatment if needed, and matched with suitable assistance, including mental health support or referrals to the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) in cases involving substance abuse.
Fatimah said ISMS allows agencies such as the Social Welfare Department, Health Department, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and enforcement bodies to coordinate effectively, with full documentation and tracking for each case.
'With ISMS, we can ensure that no one falls through the cracks.
'Every person has a profile, and every intervention is recorded,' she said.
She emphasised that TTG Kuching is more than just a temporary shelter – it serves as a structured reintegration platform aimed at helping individuals return to society with dignity and independence.
'Residents at the centre will undergo health screenings by the Health Department, receive counselling, and be assessed for their interests and skills.
'Those deemed fit will be matched with training and employment opportunities,' she said.
Fatimah added that for the elderly and persons with disabilities (PwD), the Social Welfare Department would step in to secure financial aid and support services tailored to their needs.
'What we want is for them to eventually leave TTG and live independently and with dignity,' she said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fatimah: Ministry to expand outreach programme to 13 more zones following successful pilot in Sibu
Fatimah: Ministry to expand outreach programme to 13 more zones following successful pilot in Sibu

Borneo Post

time9 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

Fatimah: Ministry to expand outreach programme to 13 more zones following successful pilot in Sibu

Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah SIBU (Aug 11): The Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development will expand its outreach programme to another 13 zones across Sarawak in an effort to ensure is left behind, said minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. She said this would bridge the gap between government departments and the community, bringing services directly to the people. 'Outreach programmes organised by the Sarawak government are effective in delivering essential services, although there is still room for improvement. 'We will tailor each programme according to the people's needs. We have a very people-centred and caring government. Our focus is to develop Sarawak and make our people prosperous,' she said after closing a pilot two-day outreach programme at the Sibu Islamic Complex yesterday. She added that increased state revenue has been channelled back to the people through various programmes, including those under her ministry Fatimah noted that the event here had not only gathered feedback from participating agencies but also from the public to help improve service delivery. 'In fact, we received 300 applications for the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) and 50 applications for the Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB) through the programme. 'This shows how valuable it (outreach programme) is, as people do not have to travel to Welfare Department offices to apply,' she said. Successful applicants, she added, were able to receive their KGC cards on the spot. The Sibu programme catered to residents from eight state constituencies in the central zone, namely Nangka, Machan, Ngemah, Pelawan, Bukit Assek, Tamin, Dudong, and Bawang Assan, under the theme 'Kamek Prihatin, Kitak Penting' (We Care, You Matter). The event involved multiple agencies, including the Welfare Department, National Registration Department, National Population and Family Development Board, Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission, Fire and Rescue Department, Social Security Organisation, and Sarawak Women and Family Department. The initiative aims to ensure the state government's plans, policies, and programmes reach grassroots leaders, women's representatives, community heads, and residents, at longhouses, settlements and villages. During the event, Fatimah presented KGC cards, compassionate assistance benefits, disability cards, and aid for victims of the recent Kampung Hilir fire. Present were Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, who is Nangka assemblyman; Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang, who is Pelawan assemblyman; Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong; and Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor.

Youth Pulse: When silence is not a virtue
Youth Pulse: When silence is not a virtue

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

Youth Pulse: When silence is not a virtue

LATELY, I have been thinking about how we Malaysians talk about sex, or more accurately, how we don't. There is a clear pattern to be observed. Our society's loudest detractors react with moral panic instead of asking why these efforts were necessary in the first place. The resulting norm is a country where silence is mistaken for virtue, and one where we risk leaving our young people vulnerable to disease and shame. The alarm bells should have been ringing three months back when the Malaysian AIDS Council reported that individuals aged 20 to 29 now make up 44% of all HIV cases, with many being school leavers and university students unaware of the risks. Sexually transmitted cases remain high, accounting for over 54,000 of the 135,000 HIV cases recorded since 1986. Alarmingly, even children under 13 are among the newest reported cases. Yet time and again, we see corrective steps taken to instil better sexual health awareness shut down. A Student Represen-tative Council at a local university was accused of spreading 'sexual liberalism' when they organised condom distribution and STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention booths as part of 'Gender Equality Week' this past June. The same month, police raided a 'gay party' in Kelantan, seizing HIV medication and condoms. The state's Health Department recently clarified that the event was an HIV awareness programme. It is telling that while HIV cases linked to drug use have declined due to sustained harm reduction efforts, similar public health logic is rarely applied to sexual health. When condoms are distributed or awareness events held, they are met with suspicion, as if prevention is somehow more offensive than the problem itself. I believe the backlash we keep witnessing is not directed at the acts themselves. Instead, it is about a national discomfort with admitting that young people might be, or eventually will be, sexually active. As if by not talking about sex, we can somehow make it disappear. That could not be further from the truth. What's actually happening is that young people are being left to learn about sex from half-whispered conversations, the Internet, and sometimes, from experience too late. A study conducted in Kelantan found that 64% of adolescents surveyed relied on their peers as their primary source of sexual health information. Meanwhile, official education is fragmented and uneven. A comprehensive review found that sex education is inconsistently delivered, abstinence-focused, and lacking teacher support. Even clinic outreach reflects this stigma. In interviews with school health teams conducted in 2022, many admitted to emphasising moral warnings and fear-based messaging over clear, accurate, and accessible information about sexual health. The consequences of choosing to treat sex as taboo instead of teaching young people how to navigate it safely and responsibly are already here. Nowadays, even teenagers are contracting HIV through sexual transmission. Others face unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and emotional trauma from relationships where consent was never properly understood. For LGBTQ+ youth, the stakes are even higher. Many already face social stigma at home and in school. Without inclusive sexual health education, they are further isolated, left to navigate misinformation and shame with no formal support. All evidence points to the need for comprehensive sex education. As United Nations agency Unicef Malaysia explains, it helps young people understand their bodies, feelings, and relationships in a healthy and informed way. This includes learning about puberty, sexual and reproductive health, and how to protect themselves from unplanned pregnancy, STIs, and abuse. Beyond biology, it equips students with the tools to navigate intimacy with safety, confidence, and respect. Comprehensive sex education also teaches young people how to set boundaries, say no when something feels wrong, and respect the choices of others. Crucially, it removes the shame often tied to these topics. When students are given space to ask questions and speak openly, they grow up more confident, better informed, and more capable of making decisions that protect their health and wellbeing. In Malaysia today, access to sex education is inconsistent. Some students might receive it in schools, depending on how comfortable with it their teachers are. Others might encounter it through workshops by NGOs or youth groups. But many go without entirely. There is an urgency here to embed it in the curriculum and deliver it consistently. It is also possible to adapt sex education to local values. In Tunisia, a Muslim-majority country, the government introduced age-appropriate lessons in 2019 with support from religious leaders and civil society. The curriculum focuses on health, respect, and dignity, proving that sensitive topics can be addressed without compromising cultural or religious beliefs. Much of the work today in Malaysia falls on NGOs, youth-led groups, and individual educators. However, the reach of such methods is limited, and they cannot replace a national policy that commits to protecting every child, in every classroom. More broadly, sex education helps us replace judgement with understanding. The comments on social media left underneath the aforementioned news have been painful, almost unbearable, to read. They speak deeply of a society that has never been taught how to understand difference, how to speak about vulnerability, or how to treat others with basic compassion. We see the impact of stigma in how certain groups are treated: LGBTQ+ people are vilified for seeking HIV care, teenage girls are shamed for getting pregnant, and abuse survivors are blamed instead of supported. Compre-hensive sex education helps break these patterns. It teaches that consent is care, that all bodies and identities deserve respect, and that honest conversations lead to safer, healthier lives. We cannot keep dismissing education efforts while ignoring the deeper crisis unfolding in silence. The rising HIV numbers, the public shaming, and harmful assumptions are symptoms of a society that has refused, for too long, to speak honestly about sex, safety, and dignity. If we truly want to protect our youth, then the conversation must begin now, and it must begin with courage. Student Jonathan Lee traces his writing roots to The Star's BRATs programme. He is now a Malaysian youth advocate. The views expressed here are solely the writer's own.

Not just bad posture: The hidden toll of scoliosis on health and life
Not just bad posture: The hidden toll of scoliosis on health and life

Sinar Daily

time2 days ago

  • Sinar Daily

Not just bad posture: The hidden toll of scoliosis on health and life

IT starts with a slouch, a shoulder higher than the other or a subtle curve that few notice. For individuals living with scoliosis, the condition goes beyond a curved spine. Often overlooked are the physical discomfort, restricted breathing, and emotional toll that quietly shape daily life. When people hear the word "scoliosis," most envision a curved back or uneven posture. But this spinal condition, which affects between 600,000 to 900,000 Malaysians, goes far beyond the visible, weaving its way into the lungs, gut and even mental health. The most common type, idiopathic scoliosis, often emerges in adolescence. Yet its impact can stretch far into adulthood. Less common forms like congenital (present from birth), neuromuscular (linked to disorders like cerebral palsy) and degenerative scoliosis (typically affecting older adults) add further complexity to the condition. While early diagnosis is key, awareness around scoliosis' broader effects remains limited, especially in Malaysia. Recognising this, Sunway Medical Centre Damansara (SMCD) is working to shed light on the hidden consequences of scoliosis through a more holistic approach to spine care; one that considers the full person, not just the curve. SMCD Consultant Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon, Dr Tan Jin Aun, emphasised that scoliosis is more than just a spine issue. 'Secondary health effects tend to occur when curvature becomes severe, generally between 70 to 100 degrees. At this stage, the impact can vary depending on several factors of which include the age and overall health of the patient. 'The location of the curve and the type of scoliosis also influence whether respiratory or digestive complications arise,' he said. Understanding scoliosis: From detection to treatment Scoliosis may begin as a slight slouch or curve, but for those living with it, it often means enduring breathlessness, discomfort, emotional strain and quiet resilience. Photo: Edited via Canva For example, in moderate to severe cases, the spine's abnormal curve can distort the ribcage, pressing into the lungs. This can cause what is known as restrictive lung disease, where patients find it harder to take deep breaths. Dr Tan added, for thoracic curves, an angle of 70 degrees or more may start limiting lung expansion while a curve of more than 100 degrees can lead to severe pulmonary restriction and thus, difficulty in breathing or decreased effort tolerance. In the abdomen, similar curvature — especially lumbar curves beyond 90 degrees — can create pressure that leads to digestive issues such as bloating, acid reflux and constipation. These symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed or brushed off as unrelated gut problems. While physical discomfort is often acknowledged, the emotional and psychological toll of scoliosis frequently goes unnoticed. Living with a visible difference or chronic fatigue can affect more than body image, it can deeply impact mental well-being. 'In my experience, patients with mild scoliosis are generally healthy and often unaware of the condition. They usually do not present with anxiety or depression linked directly to scoliosis. 'That said, self-esteem issues do arise, especially in cases where bracing is required,' Dr Tan shared. Bracing is one of the primary non-surgical treatments for growing children with scoliosis. But while it can slow or halt curve progression, it comes with its own emotional challenges, especially when worn up to 23 hours a day over several years. Dr Tan mentioned it is important to prepare both the patient and their parents beforehand. 'The decision to move forward with bracing should always consider both physical outcomes and psychosocial wellbeing. There is no one-size-fits-all answer; it has to be a shared, well-informed decision,' Dr Tan emphasised. At SMCD, scoliosis care is not just about straightening a spine, it is about protecting quality of life. With a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, the hospital considers respiratory health, digestive function and mental wellness as part of the treatment journey. Diagnosis typically begins with a clinical evaluation and spinal X-rays to assess curvature type and severity. For patients whose spines have stopped growing, observation combined with physiotherapy and strength training may be sufficient. 'Patients with mild curvature – especially those who have reached skeletal maturity – are often managed conservatively. In these cases, we monitor the spine annually, refer for physiotherapy to improve posture and muscle strength and support families with accurate, realistic guidance,' Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon (Spine Surgery and Interventional Pain Management) Dr Deepak Ajit Singh said. For those requiring surgery, SMCD leverages advanced tools such as spinal navigation and neuromonitoring to increase precision and reduce surgical risk. Yet, no matter the treatment, Dr Deepak stressed one crucial element. 'A simple spinal radiograph is often all that is needed to determine whether scoliosis is present. If we detect it early, we can plan the right course of action. Whether it is monitoring, bracing or in some cases, surgical correction. 'After all, it is not just about treating the spine but rather protecting long-term quality of life,' he added. In many cases, early signs of scoliosis — such as uneven shoulders, a tilted pelvis or a visible back hump — go unnoticed or are dismissed as poor posture. This leads to many Malaysians delaying a check-up until the condition is advanced. By highlighting the full scope of scoliosis' impact, SMCD hopes to encourage more timely intervention and foster a broader public understanding of what it truly means to live with the condition.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store