Kota Kinabalu: The National Welfare Foundation (YKN) has proposed the establishment of mobile Local Social Support Centres (PSSS) in Sabah to assist women dealing with domestic violence cases across the state. YKN Chief Executive Officer Nordina Haron stated that these centres aim to bridge the gap for women, particularly in rural areas, by facilitating the process of filing complaints with the authorities without incurring transport costs to urban centers.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the PSSS initiative includes the MyPSSS app, which enables complaints to be directly channelled to agencies under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM). Through Talian Kasih, this app connects users to the Social Welfare Department to address issues such as families with disabled children, reports of missing children, and psychosocial complaints. Nordina Haron emphasized the comprehensive approach of the centres, which aim to address various social issues with assistance from YKN as well as other ministries and agencies.
The announcement was made by Nordina Haron during the Jelajah Kasih PSSS programme, which was officiated by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. This programme is part of the Kembara Kasih KPWKM 2025 initiative, targeting two main zones in Sabah: Zone 1, which includes Tuaran, Papar, and Penampang, and Zone 2, comprising Lahad Datu, Kunak, and Tawau.
During the Jelajah Kasih PSSS event, over 2,000 psychosocial cases were recorded over the three-day period in Sabah. These cases encompassed issues related to the cost of living, work, family, and abuse. Nordina Haron highlighted YKN's role in referring these cases to the appropriate ministry or agency, and specifically to the National Population and Family Development Board for family-related issues.
The initiative's local tagline, "sa dengar, sa tulung bah" (I listen, I help), is prominently displayed on the PSSS bus and has encouraged locals to engage with counsellors. The response has been positive, making the PSSS counter a focal point throughout the event. Nordina Haron expressed hope that the two PSSS buses will reach more people, not only in towns but also in rural areas, by being deployed based on the needs of each situation.
The PSSS buses are equipped with special counselling rooms, providing a calm and comfortable environment for individuals to discuss their issues with counsellors.