BY SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA & GOH PEI PEI
KUCHING: Sarawak will be among the first state in Malaysia to have an ageing population, said Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development revealed that 15 per cent of Sarawak’s population will be aged 60 and above by the year 2028.
“As Sarawak is projected to be an aged state by 2028, my ministry wishes to obtain an approval for RM1.4 million under the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan to conduct a Research on Preparation for an Ageing Nation: The Profile of and Ageing Issues Affecting the Elderly in Sarawak that covers the 45 districts,” she said.
She was speaking at the launch of the state level Women’s Day 2023 celebration themed “Embrace Equity” held at Penview Convention Centre (PCC) Demak here yesterday.
At the same time, Fatimah had requested Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to increase the allocation of Geran Modal Pemerkasaan Wanita to RM2.5 million.
Previously, RM500,000 was allocated in 2018 followed by RM1 million in 2019 and RM2 million in 2020.
“This will contribute to increase the number of women entrepreneurs among Sarawakians who are trained by the Women and Family Department of Sarawak (JWKS),” she said.
On the celebration of Sarawak Women’s Day 2023, Fatimah urged Sarawakian women to dare to dream big and make the big dream a reality.
She pointed out that the theme ‘Embrace Equity’ means recognising and valuing the differences among individuals and groups and actively working to create a fair and just society where everyone has the same opportunities and resources regardless of background and identity.
“With this theme, we recognise the differences between equality and equity. The state government through my ministry has undertaken various efforts to ensure that different individuals and group abilities, capabilities and needs can live with dignity and efficiency.
“This will enable them to contribute to their own wellbeing as well as the society as a whole,” she said.
