‘No favouritism in giving out welfare aid’
KUCHING: Welfare assistance is for those who need help the most, regardless of their race, religion, affiliation or locality, says Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
According to her, this is the very essence of what welfare is all about.
‘ We would like to correct the misconception and allegation claiming that such welfare assistance is only provided to certain groups,” she said after receiving a courtesy call from the women members of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sarawak here yesterday.
Fatimah said the visit was to forge partnership between her ministry and the federation, especially how the latter could assist in reaching out to the lessfortunate. “This is the way forward – by working together, we will be able to empower our women irrespective of race and locality (urban and rural) in line with the ministry’s objective, mission and vision,” she said, adding this could be done through the strengthening of the economy, education and the family institution.
“Of course, education is a priority as it is through education could we transform the economic status of our families and communities. All these aspects will be looked into.
“The policy of the state government is that everyone has a place in this beloved state of Sarawak.”
Back on welfare, Fatimah advised non- governmental organisations ( NGOs) and associations to forward to the ministry the names of those whom they viewed as needing welfare assistance the most – they could be single mothers, elderly people without dependents, orphans or individuals with disability (OKU).
Meanwhile, Federation of Chinese Associations Sarawak – Women Section president Mary Tay said the visit also meant to convey the federation’s interest to be involved in any women- empowering programme organised by the ministry.
“If there is any programme related to women’s empowerment, we would be happy to join.”
Tay led the delegation comprising the federation’s divisional leaders from both rural and urban areas yesterday.
Adding on, she was happy to hear that the state government would continue its rural development agenda with health, education and economy being its core areas of focus.