Parents may send their daughters to reform schools

Parents who may wish to send their daughters to these reform schools when they get out of control. They should refer this matter to the social welfare officer of their State, who will study their case and then make a recommendation. A court order has to be obtained in order for the school to accept the children.

Intake to Reform School is by Court Order

Intake into government reform schools is subject to orders made by the Court. The residents’ ages range from 10 to 18. These young girls have usually committed offences owing due to their being minors. Instead of being sent to jail, they are sent to these reform schools to go to through rehabilitation programs. The school curriculum is the same with the normal schools. Although the inmates are usually be kept for a duration of three years, the Board of Visitors have the right to decide whether to reduce the period.

School activities need to be approved by the Ministry of Education to ensure that they help in the residentss’ growth. Various programs are organized by the school to help enable the residents adapt to the outside world when they leave.

Reform schools

Reform schools have an important role to play. The basic concept of this school is to teach wayward girls a new skill, allow them time to reflect their past and give them an opportunity to lead a new life without any interference from their old contacts. The girls pick up new skills and trades in the schools.
Reform schools like Sekolah Tunas Bakti, Sg. Leleh, Melaka, help the girls who have been put under their care to change over to a new life. The role of the reform school is to make sure that when the girls leave the centers they will be able to carry on a normal life and bring up successful families. The results of the rehabilitation programs all depends on the girls; some benefited greatly, some revert back to their old ways

How you can get help from Legal Aid Centers?

How do you qualify for assistance from the Legal Aid Center? The standard used are not the same in all of the States. In some States the minimum income level set is higher if the costs of living is higher. Where the cost of living is lower, the minimum income is lower. In Malacca the writer was told that to qualify one must be earning less than RM 600 a month. The applicant may have to pay certain disbursements to a lawyer who takes up her case. There is also no fixed rule for this payment, it all depends on the lawyer concerned. I understand that certain lawyers do not collect disbursements at all.

Legal Aid Centers

Fees are charged by lawyers are normally beyond the mean of women who have been abandoned by their husbands. The Bar Council has set up Legal Aid Centers in various States to cater for the poor. The purpose of these Centers is to give the poor access to legal advice even when they cannot afford it.

Legal Aid Bureau

When legal consultation is required a lawyer’s fee is always an important factor. Women who are in need may not be able to afford the fees charged by lawyers. The government’s Legal Aid Bureaus provide a means for women to get help without any charges provided they show that their income is low and they cannot afford a lawyer. Women should be aware of their rights; they will be given advice and guidance on their situation if they consult the Legal Aid Bureau.

Applicants must meet certain conditions before they can be assisted by the Legal Aid Bureau. Housewives who do not work and have no income are automatically entitled to legal aid. Women who work must have a yearly net income must exceeding RM3000/= in order to qualify. Net income means after deducting rentals and maintenance for children.

More details can be found by calling the 24 hours legal aid hotline 600 82 7713. A woman with a net income of between RM3000/= and RM13,000/= per year, has to pay a fee of RM300/=. Those whose income is above RM13,000/= per year do not qualify except with the consent of the Minister.

It is also vital that the services of the Legal Aid Bureau be made known to women who may be quite ignorant of such services provided by the government. The Legal Aid Bureau should become more user-friendly and change its image in line with modern trends. People will only go to services which are approachable and friendly. Our society will have fewer problems if only people know more about their rights and claim them. Injustice take places only where there is ignorance. Time must be spent on educating the public on their rights and solutions to their problems. Women will approach the Bureau only if it is visible and the Bureau must make itself more visible by having posters and leaflets at public places like supermarkets and malls.

Making a will

Two witnesses are required to witness a person signing his/her will. The witnesses cannot be beneficiaries (persons who benefit) of the will. Besides the two witnesses you also need to appoint trustees (also known as executors) to manage your will. He or she will go to the Court to handle your matters after your death. The will must state what type of property you bequeath and to whom. Any ambiguity or unclear statements will make your will invalid and have no effect at all. So you must get a lawyer to draw up a will for you. If you have made a will long time ago, say before you got married, then you must make a fresh will.