Movement to focus on eradication of poverty

KOTA KINABALU: Poverty eradication will be the focus of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sabah Srikandi movement.

Its chief, Datuk Seri Panglima Azizah Mohd Dun, said the movement will find ways and formulate strategies to help the people get out of poverty.

“We will see what can be done and how to empower them in terms of economy and education. We will recommend the strategies to the state government, Chief Minister as well as to the relevant agencies.

“At the same time as Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman, I will also find ways to eradicate poverty especially involving women in Sabah,” she said, adding that Sabah has eight of the poorest districts in the country.

“It’s a vicious cycle of poverty as some of these women are married off at a young age because the family thought it could get them out of poverty.

“However some of them end up as single mothers after their husbands left them to fend for themselves and the children,” she lamented.

Azizah said among the identified poorest districts in Sabah are Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Nabawan, Tongod, Kota Belud, Telupid and Beluran.

“Based on data, there are many poor household heads among women, who were badly affected, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, Bersatu Sabah’s Srikandi will find ways and formulate a strategy to help them get out of poverty.

We will see what can be done and how to empower them in terms of economy and education.

“Education goes beyond attending schools. After finishing school, there will be training on how to improve their lives and to become successful entrepreneurs,” she said.

Meanwhile, to the question of women representation and role in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition which is scheduled to be launched on May 26, Azizah said she is waiting for word from the leaders.

“Maybe they are waiting for it to be launched and finalised first then they will get the women to be involved. But I would like to say that in any political alliances, coalition, the role of women should not be looked down upon.

“It must be taken into consideration very seriously. The leaders must remember that we are your partners, not just a wing therefore serious attention must be given to the issue,” she said.