Newly launched Samalaju Skuad Sayang unique — Fatimah
BINTULU: Skuad Sayang for N70 Samalaju was officially launched yesterday by Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
In her speech, Fatimah congratulated squad coordinator Dora Abdul Rahman for the initiative in forming Skuad Sayang in the new constituency.
“The formation of Skuad Sayang in Samalaju is unique in that it has the strong support of and cooperation from its elected representative although he is not from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) and also from the women’s committees of Barisan Nasional ( BN) component parties,” she said.
She said it was the way forward. The state BN component parties should be able to work together for the same purpose, which was to serve the people.
The first squad was established in 2014 and the success of Pantai Damai Skuad Sayang as the pioneer was instrumental for the squad’s expansion.
“We see it as an opportunity to have machinery to help the elected representatives, BN and PBB especially, on the welfare of the people and to maintain BN’s positive image.
“Now, the squad has expanded to the rural areas where the people are scattered in small groups with less voters but the challenge for us is the size of the constituencies and also communication problems,” said Fatimah.
Samalaju assemblyman Majang Renggi, who was also present, welcomed the establishment of Skuad Sayang in his constituency as it had been proven effective in carrying out community-oriented programmes.
“You have taken up the challenge to see more women involved and become agents of change in an effort to improve the livelihood of the local community regardless of race and religion.
“Women, as mothers and wives, should shoulder this heavy responsibility to serve the people in Skuad Sayang formed by PBB and supported by other BN component parties and nongovernmental organisations,” said Majang. He was confident that Skuad Sayang would fight for the people’s rights, welfare, economy and education.
To be effective, Majang said the new members should be aware of the needs at the grassroots level and to ensure all government development programmes could be implemented smoothly.
Meanwhile, Dora said they would be working closely with Majang and other BN component parties to make the squad more effective.