LIMBANG: Councillor Lim Goon Tee had a strong desire to give women a greater voice in deciding matters related to their needs and wants, and to help people in the local community.
Lim Goon Tee
It motivated her to join a political party eight years ago.
Today as one of the exco members of the women’s division of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party branch in Limbang, Lim and her colleagues are in the frontline of helping to highlight issues affecting women in this district.
Among the socio-economic issues close to their hearts are championing the causes of education and healthcare, especially in rural areas where women and children are less likely to have access to these basic human rights.
One of the programmes they are participating in – ‘Jejari Bistari’ – is an intensive workshop designed to help women learn how to create beadwork on garments, which can then be sold to supplement their income. Lim said participants could earn up to a few hundred ringgit per month.
She said the response has been positive and they intend to hold more workshops this year. This programme is among the activities organised with the help, assistance and participation of all BN component parties to raise awareness of women’s issues, as well as provide practical support and assistance for them to stand on their own two feet.
As it was International Women’s Day yesterday, the BAT team asked Lim about women’s participation in politics in Limbang.
According to Lim, it is not uncommon for local women actively involved in politics to hold down successful careers as well. Many of her colleagues who sit on the committee are businesswomen and professionals.
For the last few weeks, Lim and her colleagues have been busy organising a dinner to commemorate IWD at a local hotel in Limbang.
Lim’s wish for International Women’s Day is that more women would be courageous enough to take up opportunities to move forward and improve themselves.