Activist Agnes Padan appointed as PKR Sarawak Women chief
KUCHING: An Orang Ulu from the Lun Bawang community, Agnes Padan, has been appointed as Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak Women chief.
PKR Sarawak Information chief Abun Sui Anyit in a statement yesterday said the party’s State Leadership Council (MPN) always provides opportunities for every member who shows high commitment in leadership and struggle for the society.
He informed that Agnes was chosen by PKR National Women head Fuziah Salleh after consulting with Women branch leaders in the state.
“Once again, Dayak women are entrusted to lead Sarawak’s PKR, moreover this is the first time in the history of PKR that an Orang Ulu from the Lun Bawang community has been entrusted by the party to lead PKR Sarawak Women,” he said.
Born in Long Semadoh, 41year- old Agnes is also a rural health activist who champions maternal healthcare.
The eldest in a family of eight, she lost her mother Kam Agong to postpartum complications in 2002 and since then, has been campaigning for better healthcare access and maternal healthcare in rural Sarawak.
In November 2018, she produced a documentary titled ‘The Story of Kam Agong’ on the state of maternal health in Sarawak, in collaboration with the Freedom Film Network.
Abun noted that the tragic incident with Agnes’ mother had led her to start a campaign on the importance of health in rural areas, especially among Dayak women.
He informed that in early 2019,
Agnes started a petition for the construction of Lawas District Hospital, which was submitted to then-Health Minister Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ahmad in Parliament on April 9, 2019.
“She invited YB Datuk Dr Zul to visit Lawas District Hospital to see for himself the state of health in Sarawak. On Aug 2, 2019, he visited Lawas District Hospital.
“Agnes briefed the (then) Health Minister on the challenges faced by the poor in Lawas and northern Sarawak, especially mothers living in the interior. She also highlighted the travel distance that had to be undertaken, and also the lack of equipment and basic medicine,” he added.
Abun pointed out that with Agnes’ struggles and commitment shown, she deserved to be appointed as PKR Sarawak Women chief to fight for the people through politics.
“PKR Sarawak hopes that with her commitment shown so far, it will continue to be translated into the struggle of the party for the future of the people of Sarawak and Malaysia in general,” he said.
Agnes replaces Catherine Jok Uvang who left the party in May this year.