Fatimah (centre) addressing the press conference during a working visit to JPNIN Sarawak office. Also seen are Dirwana (left) and Rosey.
KUCHING: The Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development will continue to work closely with National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN) to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in Sarawak.
As part of the collaboration, the ministry will take a strategic approach under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) to bring about a united, harmonious and safer community, its minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said.
“Malaysia is a good civil society according to the Societal Stress Index (that measures the level of social tension in the country) and the Community Relations Index (that measures the relationships between races in the country),” she told a press conference yesterday.
“JPNIN is doing a good job. The people must feel good and safe in the community they live in. As such, we can work on this further to preserve the unity in our diverse community,” she added.
Fatimah, accompanied by Women, Family and Childhood Development Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus and JPNIN Sarawak director Dirwana Azool, was on an official working visit to JPNIN office at the Sultan Iskandar Building, Jalan Simpang Tiga here.
“During this working visit, we have discussed and resolved our collaborative partnership in matters within our shared responsibilities,” she said.
JPNIN Sarawak is divided into two units; namely the Management Unit, which is in charge of administrative affairs of officers, staff and finance; and the Operation Unit which includes the Neighbourhood Unit, Community Security Unit, Childhood Development Unit, Community Unity and National Integration Unit and Unity Management.
Currently, JPNIN Sarawak has 89 staff in 12 divisional offices and one office in Lawas District.
On childhood development, Fatimah revealed that JPNIN Sarawak has 172 pre-schools and four nurseries throughout the state, with a total of 3,301 children.
“We will work closely with JPNIN to ensure no child is left behind in quality education. In addition, continuous attention will be given to ensure professionalism of teachers in pre-schools and kindergartens,” she said.
“They must have a diploma at least. So we will continue to upgrade their skills, knowledge and requirement through convention, conference, workshops and trainings,” she added.
Apart from quality and qualification, Fatimah pointed out that educators must have the aptitude and passion for their work because these values form the basis for quality human capital.
On Neighbourhood Watch Committee (KRT), she urged the members to be the eyes and ears of the police and the authorities in the fight against drugs in the community.
“We want to work together with the KRT and AADK (National Anti-Drug Agency) to combat drug problems in our community. This is a very serious issue especially now that children are made the target,” she said.
“Drugs can destroy not only the lives of our children but also the future of our state and nation. Everyone should play a greater role in the fight against drugs,” she added.
At the same time, Fatimah encouraged the setting up of Volunteer Patrol Scheme (SRS) in neighbourhoods to ensure the safety and security of residents.
“Now there are 473 SRS throughout Sarawak. I think they are needed because we can’t rely on the police alone,” she said.
“All the stakeholders play important role in contributing to the health, wellness and wellbeing of our community,” she emphasised.