GEORGE TOWN, Aug 26 (Bernama) — A total of 349 domestic violence cases were investigated in Penang last year, with 157 cases recorded up to June this year, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying.
She said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) statistics should not be taken lightly as the number of reported cases may not reflect the actual number of domestic violence incidents.
“Some victims remain silent because they are afraid, ashamed or under emotional distress. That is why we do not want to act only after violence has occurred.
“We want to prevent it at an early stage, identify risk indicators and ensure that assistance reaches victims before the situation becomes more serious,” she said at the closing ceremony of the ‘Wonderful Life’ Domestic Violence Awareness programme here today.
For the record, 7,391 domestic violence cases were recorded nationwide last year, while up to June this year, 4,014 cases have been reported compared with 3,768 cases during the same period last year.
Lim said domestic violence occurs in various forms, including physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse, as well as financial and digital abuse, which are increasingly receiving attention.
She stressed that society must change the perception that domestic violence is a private matter, as it is a criminal offence that requires the community’s courage to take action to protect victims.
On the Wonderful Life programme, she said it is an initiative by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to raise awareness about preventing domestic violence through advocacy, education and community engagement.
She said the programme also marked the beginning of a five-year plan to strengthen efforts to address domestic violence in the 10 states that recorded the highest number of cases in 2025, including Penang.
Meanwhile, Lim expressed her appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, for allocating funds through the 2025 SARA Appreciation Aid programme allocation that had not been spent or claimed.
“The allocation is being used to implement advocacy programmes, particularly those related to domestic violence, with Penang being the second state after Sarawak to implement this programme,” she said.
— BERNAMA