Dr Wan Azizah, flanked by Fatimah (second left) and Rosey, joins the Sarawak delegates in a photo-call at her office in Putrajaya.
KUCHING: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has given positive feedback to Sarawak’s request for continuous federal funding to the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Sarawak.
This was disclosed by Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, who said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call on Dr Wan Azizah in Putrajaya.
According to Fatimah, her ministry needs the allocation for the disbursement of monthly aid to more than 56,000 welfare recipients in Sarawak, as well as funds meant for the maintenance of community-based rehabilitation centres (PDKs), senior citizens activity centre (Pawe), children’s activity centre (PAKK) and other facilities under the purview of ministry – for this year and the next.
“During our discussions, she (Dr Wan Azizah) gave positive feedback. God-willing, there would also be allocations for 2019,” she said yesterday.
Fatimah said the meeting with Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the federal Ministry of Women and Family Development, was conducted in a friendly environment.
Apart from Fatimah, other Sarawak delegates were Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus and heads of local agencies and departments under Fatimah’s ministry.
On another matter, Fatimah said Dr Wan Azizah also assuraned that the strategic collaboration between the federal Ministry of Women and Family Development, and her (Fatimah’s) ministry would be ongoing.
Fatimah said her ministry forwarded six issues for discussion namely strategic cooperation, welfare allocation application, poverty eradication under 1Azam, gazetting of correctional centres and representation of Sarawak in various national councils and committees.
“We are very grateful for the response given by our Deputy Prime Minister.”
On another matter, Fatimah said her ministry proposed for a building at Taman Sri Puteri to be turned into a correctional centre for girls.
“This is because following the amendment to the Child Act 2001, problematic girls need to be sent to the correctional centres in Peninsular Malaysia, which began last year. This, to us, is not right, because in the course of their rehabilitation, parental support is very important.
“If we’re to send them (problematic girls) to the peninsula like before, then the relationship between them and their parents would become strained.
“So, we are applying for the process and procedures that would enable a block at Taman Sri Puteri here, to be gazetted as a correctional centre. This matter is also agreed upon and hopefully, it would be a reality in the near future.”
On the issue of Sarawak’s representation in various national-level councils and committees especially those related to women, senior citizens, children and individuals with special needs, Fatimah requested that this be addressed immediately.
“It is important that in this context, the Sarawak’s perspective be taken into account in formulating the policies and drafting programmes slated for the well-being of the people,” she said.