First in the nation
Sarawak first state in Malaysia to run studies on social wellbeing benchmark
KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is the first state in Malaysia to conduct studies on establishing a benchmark for social wellbeing, known as ‘ Sarawak Social Wellbeing Index’ (SSWI).
The Ministry of Welfare, Community Well being, Women, Family and Childhood Development signed a memorandum of understanding ( MoU) on the project with Universiti Malaya ( UM) here yesterday.
Representing the ministry was its permanent secretary Dr Saadiah Abdul Samah, while the university was represented by its vice- chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud.
Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah witnessed the signing.
It is understood that under the MoU, nine experts and professionals from UM and other relevant sectors in Sarawak will be involved in the one-year research, with the aim of collecting data for input and analysis.
In her remarks, Fat imah said social well being is as crucial as political and economic stability, as society seeks continued progress and developmental balance.
She said accurate data is essential for the authorities to come up with a systematic and efficient mechanism to ensure better social wellbeing for all .“We have to take into consideration Sarawak’ s demography and geography because we do not want to have data that is gathered from a small group or area.
“What we need is a comprehensive research that is set to transform our social wellbeing and able to reach out to more
What we need is a comprehensive research that is set to transform our social wellbeing and able to reach out to more people who are in need of welfare assistance. Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development
people who are in need of welfare assistance,” she pointed out.
SSWI is made up of 10 ‘pillars’ – family institution, capacitybuilding, social harmony, housing, social space and infrastructure, good governance and practices, social responsibility, environmental sustainability, social health and public safety.
It is learnt that the ministry wil l a lso col laborate with government departments and agencies, the private sector and non-governmental organisations ( NGOs) towards establishing the SSWI.
According to project leader Prof Dr Siti Hajar Abu Bakar Ah of UM, SSWI should serve as an indicator to ref lect the level of social wellbeing among the locals.
She believed that the initiative would also show how determined the state government is in ensuring better social wellbeing for the community.
In his remarks, Awang Bulgiba said some developed nations such as those that make up the United Kingdom – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – have conducted their research on social wellbeing index.
He hoped that the one- year study would identify aspects that are putting social wellbeing at stake, in order to pave way for a transformation plan that would help more people achieve better quality of life.