500 applications from Sabah single mothers
PUTATAN: Malaysia National Single Mothers Association (PITKM) Sabah branch submitted 500 applications from qualified single mothers i n the state to its parent association here yesterday.
With active participation from PITKM Sabah, the number of single mothers registered under the association can reach up to 80,000, said its president, Datuk Melati Ali, at PITKM Sabah’s first annual general meeting.
PITKM Sabah, the association’s 13th state branch, is chaired by Datuk Rosimah Zakaria and was launched three months ago to help single mothers earning low income to get assistance from the government and other bodies throughout the nation.
Melati tasked the Sabah branch to establish a PITKM home, appoint a secretary to establish a record system according to the state’s parliamentary division and ensure that all applications are filled out properly by future applicants.
She stressed that applicants must fill in the income section of the forms so that any assistance such as the government’s housing assistance can be extended to them if they were qualified for it.
PITKM will also organize an administration management course to assist in the initial formation of its Sabah branch association, said Melati.
She also highlighted an initial funding of RM1 million from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has helped in the establishment of the association and the PITKM foundation.
The foundation will hopefully be launched in August during the Women’s Day celebration this year, and focus on welfare activities and extend assistance to help its members in terms of health and natural disaster incidences.
In the future, she said PITKM might help members in skills development and schools.
Melati also appealed to the state leaders to extend financial assistance to non-governmental organisations and associations.
According to the president, there are currently 200,000 single mothers registered with the government throughout the country. Most of them are members of PITKM.