Latest news with #LimSiewKhim
Malay Mail
11-07-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
‘Every child deserves love': About 60 children enter Penang welfare system monthly, but few find adoptive families
GEORGE TOWN, July 12 — Every month, about 60 children are placed under the care of Penang's Welfare Department, but only a handful receive adoption applications. Many are left waiting for a permanent home — a luxury that some of them may never experience. Penang's social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the department handles about 12 new child protection cases per district each month. 'These numbers vary by district. For instance, Seberang Perai Tengah recorded 25 cases in April, while Seberang Perai Selatan had five,' she told Malay Mail in an interview recently. Yet despite this steady influx, she said only one or two adoption applications are submitted to the department each month. In recent months, she said there has also been a growing number of cases involving children of unknown or foreign parentage. Requirements for adoption Among the requirements to be eligible to adopt a child are being a Malaysian citizen or resident, above the age of 25, and at least 18 years older than the child. Applicants must be legally married for at least five years, although exceptions may be made for those facing fertility challenges. Single applicants are also eligible, but will be subjected to screening. 'Financial stability, good health, and a safe, supportive home environment are also essential criteria,' she said. 'There is no official waiting list for adoption, as each case is evaluated based on eligibility and suitability,' she added. She also revealed that, on several occasions, adoptive parents had returned children to the department — though she did not provide exact figures. 'In some cases, adoptive or biological parents may return children to the department, often due to difficulties with documentation, personal hardships or unplanned pregnancies,' she said. She said the department would then take these children in and continue its efforts to ensure they are placed in a safe and loving environment. 'No children have been permanently left without a solution,' she added. Facilities for vulnerable children As of May this year, the state welfare department has 52 children between the ages of two and 16 under its care. Lim said they are housed at the state's primary care facility, Kompleks Penyayang Sinar Kasih. 'A second facility is currently under reconstruction and is expected to be operational by the last quarter of this year, which will further enhance our capacity to care for vulnerable children,' she said. Lim also said the state has seen a decline in baby abandonment cases — two were recorded last year, and none so far this year. A baby hatch set up in a private hospital in Bukit Mertajam was shut down about two years ago due to it not being used at all. Lim said the state is open to proposals to establish a baby hatch or safe surrender facility as a compassionate and responsible option for unwanted infants. 'However, this requires careful assessment and coordination with relevant agencies to ensure legal compliance and child safety,' she added. Lim is also planning to meet with relevant agencies and non-governmental organisations to discuss establishing a safe surrender facility. 'We remain open to exploring more collaborative efforts, especially around adoption education, child protection campaigns, and family-based care,' she said. She called on prospective adoptive families to reach out to their nearest welfare department office for more information on adoption procedures. 'Every child deserves the right to be loved, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive,' she said.
Malay Mail
09-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Penang to expand tech-backed support network for domestic violence survivors
GENEVA (Switzerland), July 9 — The Penang government is planning to increase the number of individuals trained to handle domestic violence cases, known as First Support Points (FSPs), said State Social Development, Welfare, and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim. She said the FSPs serve as the first line of support, confidentially and effectively referring domestic violence incidents to the relevant agencies. 'We have trained over 500 FSPs and will continue to expand the programme,' she told reporters here recently. The Penang Stop Violence app, developed by the Penang Women's Development Corporation (PWDC) in collaboration with the state government to connect domestic violence survivors with FSPs, has won first place in Category C10: Ethical Dimension of the Information Society at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2025. 'The state government remains committed to expanding the initiative and exploring more technology-based approaches that prioritise the safety and well-being of the people in our effort to create a better and safer Penang for all,' she added. The WSIS Prizes are organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with United Nations (UN) agencies to recognise information and communication technology projects that drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). — Bernama * If you are experiencing domestic violence, the following hotlines offer free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); All Women's Action Society at 016-2374221 / 016-2284221 (9.30am-5.30pm); and Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) at 03-30008858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7). ** If you are experiencing sexual violence, the following hotlines offer free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); All Women's Action Society at 016-2374221 / 016-2284221 (9.30am-5.30pm); and Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) at 03-30008858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7)
The Sun
15-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
USM Students Empower Penang Homeless in Community Outreach
GEORGE TOWN: A recent community outreach initiative by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) students has shone a light on the power of community empowerment, while fostering unity and practical life skills among residents of Penang Homeless Transit Centre (PTGPP). In a statement, USM said a total of 71 second-year students from its School of Communication took part in the programme, Comm@Love In Transit (Comm@L.I.T.), organised in collaboration with PTGPP and supported by Service-Learning Malaysia–University for Society USM (SULAM-USM). Held yesterday, the initiative aimed to uplift PTGPP residents through a series of vibrant, interactive activities, including an explore race, gotong-royong (communal clean-up), an oral health awareness talk, and a community celebration. 'Each activity was designed to promote sustainability, improve mental and emotional well-being, and foster a sense of belonging and connection among participants. 'These efforts also aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production),' the statement read. State Social Development and Welfare Committee chairman, Lim Siew Khim, who attended the event, praised the programme's transformative impact in strengthening community cohesion and promoting collaboration between institutions. 'The residents' growing confidence and motivation to reintegrate into society is a remarkable achievement. It proves that coordinated efforts between institutions and communities can bring about meaningful and lasting change,' she said.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
USM students empower homeless community through outreach programme
GEORGE TOWN: A recent community outreach initiative by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) students has shone a light on the power of community empowerment, while fostering unity and practical life skills among residents of Penang Homeless Transit Centre (PTGPP). In a statement, USM said a total of 71 second-year students from its School of Communication took part in the programme, Comm@Love In Transit (Comm@L.I.T.), organised in collaboration with PTGPP and supported by Service-Learning Malaysia–University for Society USM (SULAM-USM). Held yesterday, the initiative aimed to uplift PTGPP residents through a series of vibrant, interactive activities, including an explore race, gotong-royong (communal clean-up), an oral health awareness talk, and a community celebration. 'Each activity was designed to promote sustainability, improve mental and emotional well-being, and foster a sense of belonging and connection among participants. 'These efforts also aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production),' the statement read. State Social Development and Welfare Committee chairman, Lim Siew Khim, who attended the event, praised the programme's transformative impact in strengthening community cohesion and promoting collaboration between institutions. 'The residents' growing confidence and motivation to reintegrate into society is a remarkable achievement. It proves that coordinated efforts between institutions and communities can bring about meaningful and lasting change,' she said.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Women's business bootcamp opens for registration
GEORGE TOWN: More women entrepreneurs, including single mothers, are urged to register as participants in the Penang Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Programme 2025 (PenMentor2025) with the registration deadline set for July 31. Penang social development, welfare and non-Muslim affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the programme, organised by the Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC), aimed to help women gain business knowledge and expand their businesses. 'PenMentor is a programme that offers intensive training, mentoring and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 2020, more than 350 participants have benefited from the programme. 'Last year, we recorded a 50% increase in average sales among participants who completed the programme, proving that the right guidance and support can deliver tangible results,' she said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. She said PenMentor, which is now in its sixth year, would also focus on enhancing digital literacy among women entrepreneurs to help them stay competitive in the rapidly changing economy. Meanwhile, PWDC chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng said PenMentor would run for three months from August to October this year, featuring a four-day Intensive Entrepreneurship Course and six mentoring sessions. 'The mentees will be divided into sub-groups consisting of eight mentees and two mentors, who will be selected from various industry backgrounds and with about five years of experience in their respective fields.' Ong said this year's PenMentor places greater emphasis on digital marketing, with the module conducted by Digital Penang. The topics covered will include platforms like TikTok Shop, Canva and Capcut. Among the eligibility criteria is that applicants must be Penangites and Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above. The registration fee is RM200 for the B40 group and RM400 for the M40 and T20 groups.
