IPOH: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has assured that counselling services will continue to be made available to families of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel who were injured or killed in a recent road accident.
Its deputy minister, Datuk Noraini Ahmad, said the Social Welfare Department had begun reaching out to the victims’ families, with some having received counselling and others scheduled for follow-up support.
“I have been informed that there are two sources of counselling – one through the police and the other through the department itself.
“The counselling provided by the Social Welfare Department will be ongoing. It’s not just for a couple of days; it will continue for as long as the victims or their families need it.
“The duration of the counselling depends on their needs. We are always ready to provide counselling services for as long as necessary,” she said.
She told reporters this after visiting Noor Hasliza Mohd Hadzri, 32, the widow of Corporal Akmal Muhamad, at her home in Bercham here today.
Noraini was also scheduled to visit another family member involved in the crash, which saw nine FRU policemen killed and nine others injured.
She was responding to questions about the emotional toll on the children, some of whom are still traumatised, with some yet to cry or speak after the sudden loss of their fathers.
“Counselling and support are not just for the mothers, but also for the children, parents and spouses of everyone affected.
“They’re going through this while still likely experiencing trauma. One child went to school after watching a video of his father and still feels very sad, but is trying to take on his father’s role.
“These are the kinds of things we are aware of. That’s why I mentioned earlier that the Social Welfare Department is prepared to help, and even before the families reached out, the department’s staff had already contacted them,” she added.
Noraini said that aside from counselling, financial aid was also being extended. Six families received RM1,000 each today through the National Welfare Foundation, in addition to immediate assistance previously distributed via emergency funds.
She added that the Social Welfare Department would also assess the long-term needs of the families, particularly those who have lost their main breadwinner.
“There are some who are no longer working and are now fully responsible for their families. We will investigate each case to determine what other forms of support can be provided,” she said.
It was reported last Tuesday that an FRU truck carrying 18 personnel from Unit 5 Sungai Senam collided with a gravel-laden lorry at 8.50am at Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, Teluk Intan.
Eight officers died at the scene, and a ninth passed away while receiving treatment at Teluk Intan Hospital. Nine others were injured.
The FRU vehicle was returning to Ipoh after completing duties for the Chitrapournami festival when it collided with the lorry.
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