Liew (seated at centre), flanked by Ho and Yong, with the delegates from Malaysia and Singapore.
KOTA KINABALU: Women leadership has contributed significantly to the socio-economic sector, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
She said this was apparent in both developed and developing countries where women NGO leaders, activists and entrepreneurs were in the forefront of socio-economic development.
“I am glad this AGM and Fellowship Weekend with the theme ‘Reach for the Stars’ will enable women to explore women leadership in various arenas as this also matches the aspiration of our new government. May I add ‘The Sky is the Limit’.
“I believe this congregation will help to foster stronger friendship ties and empower you to collectively contribute to a better world,” she told some 80 Inner Wheel delegates from Malaysia and Singapore when officiating at the opening of the Inner Wheel District 331, 7th District Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Fellowship Weekend at the Kokol Haven Resort here Saturday.
Inner Wheel District 331 covers Inner Wheel Clubs in Malaysia and Singapore. The delegates were from Inner Wheel Clubs in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak.
The event was hosted by the Inner Wheel Club of Kota Kinabalu (IWCKK) led by Rosario Yong, with Past President Emmeline Tan as organising chairperson. Among those who attended the event were District 330 chairman Peggy Lee, International Inner Wheel (IIW) Past National Representative, Toh Puan Lam Lee Pin and current National Representative for Malaysia-Singapore, Seetha Lakshimi Narayanan, all of them from Kuala Lumpur.
On this year’s IIW theme ‘Empower and Evolve’, Liew, who is Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, said it is timely as women emerge as strong leaders worldwide.
Noting that institutions of higher learning have seen an increase of female students outnumbering their male counterparts, she asserted that as women become educated and well-trained, we should provide equal opportunities in decision-making.
“This is what Malaysia hopes to do as we push for 30 per cent women’s participation in decision-making positions,” she said.
At this juncture, the minister described Inner Wheel District 331 chairman Datuk Nancy Ho as a fine example of a dynamic woman leader whose leadership traits inspire other women to emulate her achievements.
In a lighter vein, Liew said the Singaporean delegates were in the right place, given that Sabah has been dubbed “Malaysia’s Favourite Tourist Destination” for 2019.
Interestingly, Sabah, Land Below The Wind, has a lot to offer in terms of tourist attractions, delicious seafood and local cuisines, cool mountain air and pristine beaches.
The minister added that the Inner Wheel event served as a platform to showcase Sabah’s abundant flora and fauna, rich cultural heritage, handicraft items, sounds and sights.
“We hope you will have a unique experience and decide to come back next year as we celebrate ‘Visit Malaysia Year’.”
Saying Sabah has a very comprehensive environmental conservation programme, Liew said the government placed much emphasis on a clean and green environment and discouraged the use of plastics.
“On top of it, Sabah is home to many rare species of animals and our Kinabalu Park has been gazetted as a World Heritage Site.”
It was news to the Singapore ladies that their country topped the list of 10 highest tourism markets to Malaysia in 2018. “Thank you,” Liew quipped.
The rest were Indonesia, China, Thailand, Negara Brunei, South Korea, India, Philippines, Japan and Taiwan.
Earlier, in welcoming the minister, Ho, who is also IIW Past Board Director, observed that going by the rate Liew was moving on the ground, she is a 24/7 hard-working and charming minister who is a role model in women leadership.
Ho said the AGM was a serious affair with various suggestions and deliberations on the road map for the evolution of the organisation. “With the aim of inspiring all of us to push our limits and reach for the top, this event is destined to unleash more potential in each of us. We are all leaders in our own ways and winners too.”
According to her, Inner Wheel District 331 has extended its boundaries to reach beyond its shores like Myanmar and the Philippines.
“We have even managed to start a new club in Singapore – the Inner Wheel Club of Temasek,” she disclosed.
The District 331 chairman stressed that the Inner Wheel Movement has empowered members to extend friendship, serve and promote peace and international understanding in tandem with the the three major goals of this service organisation.
Ho thanked the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment for its support for the Inner Wheel event.
The cultural dance performances were sponsored by the Sabah Cultural Board under the ministry.
Meanwhile, IWCKK President Yong said the District AGM was intentionally held in the lush setting of fauna and flora of Kokol Haven Resort for the delegates to enjoy the beauty of nature.
“You will find the rising sun greeting you in the morning while the setting sun creates the mood for the evening of fun and fellowship,” she said, adding that Sabah is a very warm and inviting state where the people are friendly and welcoming.
The event also saw IWCKK’s donation of RM2,000 to the Rainbow of Hope School which has been teaching street kids for many years.
Also present were the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Hajah Mariam Omar Matusin, political secretary to the minister, Vivien Lee and Sri Pelancongan Sdn Bhd general manager Zachary Mobijohn.