SUPP Public Complaints Bureau (SPCB) Chief, Wilfred Yap was recently approached by a woman from BDC area for legal advice and assistance on a matrimonial matter and the procedures on divorce proceedings in Court. The women concerned informed that she cannot afford the services of a lawyer due to her low income.
SUPP Public Complaints Bureau would like to advice the public of the existence of Legal Aid Department of Sarawak or more commonly known as Biro Bantuan Guaman (BBG). BBG is a governmental body under the Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Department and was set up by our Government to provide free or subsidized legal advice and help to deserving members of the public who meet their qualifying criteria and their cases must fall within BBG’s scope of assistance. Free legal aid would be given to members of the public who yearly income does not exceed RM25,000.00 (i.e) RM2,083.00 per month. Subsidized legal aid would be given to members of the public whose yearly income is more than RM25,000.00 but less than RM30,000.00 (i.e) RM2,500.00 per month.
SUPP Public Complaints Bureau would like to advice anyone who have a legal problem to go to BBG for assistance as it is staffed with experienced legal officers who will give proper guidance and act on their problem.
Members of the public who require the services of BBG are required to undergo a means test and if successful will be required to pay a small registration fee of RM2.00 and fill up some forms. After the forms are submitted, an interview will be conducted by a legal officer to determine the full details of their case and actions that need to be taken thereon.
The office of BBG in Kuching is situated in Level 6, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93504 Kuching and their telephone contact is 082-258699.
SUPP Public Complaints Bureau is always ready to lend a helping hand to the anyone facing problems or who come across problems of public interest but does not know how to deal with it. Anyone requiring assistance can always call SUPP Public Complaint’s mobile number at 016-7797688 or 082-246999 or go direct to SUPP Head Office to request for assistance.
(Photo shows SUPP PCB Chief Wilfred Yap assisting to fill in forms for the women from BDC at the Legal Aid Department, 6th Floor, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Simpang Tiga, Kuching)