KOTA KINABALU: Empowering women and housewives through economic assistance and development initiatives remains a priority for the Sabah government, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the state had introduced various initiatives, including assistance under the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat (Syukur) programme, to ease the financial burden of low-income families and support housewives.
“In Tuaran, more than 3,000 of the approximately 10,000 Syukur recipients are from Sulaman.
“Last year, recipients received RM300 monthly, with eligible women among the beneficiaries. This is our responsibility as the state government to continuously safeguard the people’s well-being.”
Hajiji, who is also Sulaman assemblyman, was speaking at an event to present kitchen utensils to housewives in the constituency at Rumpun Bajau Samah Cultural Centre in Kampung Lok Batik yesterday.
A total of 1,000 housewives received assistance.
Hajiji said the wellbeing of the people was one of the key pillars of the Sabah Maju Jaya development roadmap.
This year so far, the state had provided RM200 in monthly assistance to 140,000 underprivileged people, he said.
“Previously, slightly more than 20,000 people received assistance from the Welfare Department. Within five years, we have increased that number to nearly 70,000 recipients every month.
“These initiatives reflect my plan in reaching out to the people and ensuring their wellbeing,” he said.
Hajiji also said he allocated RM500,000 annually for women in his Sulaman constituency, including for kitchen utensil assistance programmes.
“Likewise, I allocate RM500,000 each year for young men and women in Sulaman. These allocations are meant to support programmes for women and youth.”
He acknowledged the support of women voters, saying it had contributed to his success in representing the constituency for nine terms since 1990.
