‘Her well-being is our priority’: Welfare dept assists pregnant 16yo Kabong girl amid police investigation

File photo for illustration purposes only. Photo: Pixabay

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 26: The Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKM) has deployed a team to offer psychosocial support to a 16-year-old girl in Kabong who is believed to be 35 weeks pregnant and expected to give birth next month.

In a TVS report, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said that the priority now is to ensure the victim remains safe while receiving proper healthcare and emotional support amid an ongoing investigation.

“At the moment, she is staying with her guardians while waiting to deliver the baby. Our protection officers have visited her and are providing support, especially psychosocial support,” she told reporters after launching the State-level Mother’s Day celebration at the Sarawak Library here on Monday (May 25).

It was earlier reported that a 22-year-old local man was detained by the police to assist in investigating the case.

The girl’s pregnancy came to light when she went to the Kabong Health Clinic last Friday (May 22) after complaining of swollen legs and having missed her menstrual period for five months.

An examination conducted revealed that the victim was 35 weeks pregnant, prompting the medical officer to lodge a police report for further action. — DayakDaily