MoH to provide assistance, psychological support to family of slain Sri Aman couple, says minister

SIBURAN (Jan 15): The Ministry of Health (MoH) will provide welfare assistance and psychological support to the family of a couple suspected to have been murdered in Taman Mutiara, Sri Aman recently.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry would provide financial assistance in line with its standard operating procedures (SOP), while ensuring psychosocial support for the couple’s three children, who are believed to be experiencing severe emotional distress following the tragedy.

He said discussions had already been held with his deputy, Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib, and Sarawak Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah to ensure immediate measures are implemented.

“I am confident that Dr Veronica will also take the necessary steps to raise funding, and as usual, the ministry will provide financial contributions to the family of the deceased.

“This is part of our SOP and standard practice,” he told reporters after officiating at the opening of Klinik Kesihatan Serian and Klinik Kesihatan Siburan.

Responding to a question on whether psychological support would be extended to the victims’ children and colleagues, Dr Dzulkefly stressed that such intervention was crucial and would be carried out promptly.

“Definitely. That is very important. The children are experiencing a tragic shock. Bereavement issues like this must be addressed immediately through our Psychological First Aid (PFA), and other teams will be deployed to provide psychological support to the children and the family,” he said, adding that the family requires careful handling by trained professionals and the ministry’s support teams.

Earlier, Dr Dzulkefly expressed his grief over the incident in a Facebook post, describing the deaths as a significant loss to the public service and the MoH.

“By the third day of the new school session, we were shocked by a tragedy that claimed the lives of two dedicated public servants — the late Angelin Kibin, a trained nurse at Hospital Sri Aman, and her husband, the late Andy Roy, who had just been appointed as a headmaster,” he said.

He highlighted the plight of their three children, who were suddenly left orphaned.

“For the Ministry of Health, this is a great loss. The late Angelin was part of our big MoH family,” he added.

The couple were found dead at their home in Taman Mutiara, Sri Aman, on Wednesday. Their remains are scheduled for burial on Sunday morning in Simanggang.