By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Dec 7 — The Selangor government is pushing to get all shelter homes for domestic violence victims in the state registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said this is crucial to ensure compliance with all existing guidelines, including safety aspects, and to facilitate necessary assistance.
“We need to ensure that all shelter homes in Selangor get JKM’s approval to operate because some don’t comply with specific requirements.
“These homes, like childcare centres and other care homes, need to be regulated because we don’t want a situation where we want to assist them, but they are not in compliance with JKM’s guidelines.
“Additionally, they also need to comply with the respective local councils, including building safety. We will try to assist them to get these approvals,” she told reporters after launching the ‘Sayangi Wanita’ campaign today.
The programme was held at the Selangor International Book Fair 2023 at Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Convention Centre, here, in conjunction with the 16-day activism against gender-based violence that started on November 25.
Anfaal said this year, the state government has provided RM100,000 in financial aid to nine domestic violence shelter homes operated by civil society groups for them to conduct various programmes.
Men must step up
Earlier in her speech, Anfaal urged men to play a more crucial role in lowering the statistics of domestic violence cases in Selangor, which she described as concerning.
According to police data, a total of 4,690 such cases were recorded in the state from 2020 to August this year, the highest in Malaysia. She said that 813 cases have been reported this year alone.
“We need strong leaders and protectors of women, individuals who bear the titles of father, husband, brother, uncle, and grandfather within the family and the community,” she said.
Anfaal urged victims seeking help to contact the state’s SELamat 24-hour helpline.
On a separate matter, Anfaal said JKM will provide the necessary psychological assistance to the family of the autistic six-year-old boy, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin, who was found dead last night, as per its standard operating procedure.
“I plan to visit the family, most likely tomorrow. However, at the moment, it’s important to allow them the time to handle the affairs of the deceased.
Police have classified the case as a murder.
