KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Women Advisory Council (MPMS) has been urged to move in tandem with the State government to help in the development of women in Sabah.
Speaking after witnessing the swearing-in of 11 MPWS members yesterday, Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, said MPWS must work continuously with the government to ensure the implementation of women development agenda in Sabah.
“We are not shy to continuously ask women to assist us to develop Sabah and the people of Sabah, not just the women, but the overall community,” he said.
“The government will do what it can to help address and consider the needs of women,” he said.
He added that the role of women was important, hence the government shall give its attention and assistance to women.
“At the State Cabinet, attention is given to women and if there are avenues for women to help the community, we would very much appreciate it,” he said.
In ending his speech, Musa reminded the sworn-in members that it was not a privilege for them to be appointed as members of MPMS.
“Think of it as a responsibility you have to carry out,” he said.
MPMS chairperson Datuk Mariati Roberts Abdullah, who was reappointed yesterday for another term along with other members of MPMS, said that it was an honour for her to be allowed to continue to work as they did before.
She said that prior to the expiry of the last term, the committee members had a final meeting to list out the things they wanted to do during the upcoming new term.
She added that they would be focusing on education and on the urban areas.
“We will also look at the legal aspects, and would like to discuss with the Syariah Court and see how our two systems (of law) can work together…we will also focus on social and economic issues and the representation of women in decision making,” she said.
A total of 11 out of 14 MPMS members were present during the swearing-in ceremony for the new 2013-2014 session yesterday.
Those who attended were Mariati, deputy chairperson Datuk Siti Aishah Mohd Asri, Datuk Margaret Fung, Datuk Dr Lungkiam Dambul, Rosmawati Lasuki, Dr Maria Suleiman, Nurhanaa Abdullah, Maimunah Suhaibul, Rosnani Asmat, Joanna Kitingan and Ustaza Sakaria Semela from the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department.
Also present at the event was State Secretary, Datuk Sukarti Wakiman.