THE Penang government has sent out a strong message that it will not tolerate domestic violence.
The state has given out appointment letters to 29 state constituency service centres and eight non-governmental organisations (NGOs) today. These centres and organisations will be serving as the First Support Point to assist victims of domestic violence.
During the virtual handover ceremony, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he was happy that the service centres and NGOs came forward to support the state’s initiative.
“We will not tolerate domestic violence. We will continue to find ways to ensure the safety and security of the people.
“Congratulations to the service centres, Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), Women’s Centre for Change (WCC), the State Economic Planning Unit, NGOs and other relevant bodies for making this effort a success,” Chow said during the virtual ceremony in Komtar.
He said that 29 out of the 40 state constituency service centres received the appointment letters today, while the remaining 11 would be receiving them in the near future.
The First Support Point is an initiative under the Penang Safe Family Policy.
The policy was introduced by the state government last year and is led by Penang Social Development amd Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng.
Chow said that cases of domestic violence were likely to increase during the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).
“Hence, we initiate the First Support Point to provide the necessary aid to the victims.
“We want the victims to know that there are state agencies and relevant bodies that are ever-ready to provide help,” he said.
Chong Eng said the Penang Safe Family Policy had received overwhelming response from the public.
“The First Support Point initiative will be the start of many great things to come, especially to help the victims of domestic violence.
“The service centres and NGOs can put up buntings to raise public awareness of the policy,” she said during her speech.
The eight NGOs that received their appointment letters today were Home Dynamics, Malaysia Hindu Sangam, Sneham Malaysia, Women Welfare Council (WWC), Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia (Penang branch), Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Than Hsiang Temple and Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Society Malaysia.
Also present at the virtual event were state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain and state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi