Thursday, 10 July 2025

Sarawak strengthens Community Service Orders with new approach

Facebook
X
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (second right) visiting the exhibition booth accompanied by Kampung Pulo Hilir Village Head KK Norlidah Halmi (right) and Resident of Kuching Division Dayang Joanita Azizah Abang Morshidi (left). Photo: Ramidi Subari

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS ​​EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

KUCHING: Sarawak will continue to strengthen the implementation of Perintah Khidmat Masyarakat (PKM) or Cpmmunity Service Orders (CSO) through a more systematic, structured and high-impact approach via the Knowledge and Service (Ilmu dan Bakti) Programme.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said that the programme forms part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for PKM for Young Offenders, which was issued and enforced starting last year on January 15.

“The SOP circular was distributed to all State Social Welfare Directors earlier on January 10, 2024 to serve as the main reference for programme implementation.

“Based on this SOP, the Knowledge and Service Programme has been designed as one of the key approaches for 2025 and all implementation will adhere to the SOP to ensure our efforts remain consistent and effective,” she said.

She said this when officiating the Knowledge and Service Programme, Community Service Order Trainees 2025 Launching Ceremony at Surau Nurul Hilal, Kampung Pulo Hilir here today.

As of May 2025, a total of 30 active PKM cases are being handled in Sarawak, involving young offenders, children and adults.

“Of these, 22 are young offenders, seven are child offenders, and one is an adult offender, who are still undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the Social Welfare Department (JKM),” she said.

Meanwhile, from 2008 to 2024, a total of 10,522 cases nationwide have been sentenced under PKM, comprising 8,125 young offenders, 2,163 child offenders, and 234 adult offenders.

These cases involve 1.85 million hours of implementation and supervision carried out by PKM officers and field supervisors at the district level.

“We all have made mistakes. The difference is, not everyone is given a second chance.

“But through PKM, we provide an opportunity for trainees to improve themselves and give back to the community.

“PKM is not merely an alternative punishment; it is a path to rehabilitation. It rebuilds self-confidence, re-shapes character, and offers a second chance to return as better members of society,” she added.

She said that a study by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has shown that the effectiveness of PKM reaches 70 to 80 percent, proving its positive impact on trainees’ attitudes, emotions and social integration.

“This demonstrates our commitment to expanding a standardised and high-impact programme nationwide,” she said.

Related News

Most Viewed Last 2 Days