SIBU: The Sarawak government provides assistance to anyone, regardless of race or religion, said Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
“There are misconceptions that assistance is only given to Bumiputeras. So, we need to dispel these misconceptions,” she said.
Fatimah was commenting on the lack of applications for state government assistance from the Chinese community.
She was speaking at a ceremony to present a certificate of appreciation to Agnes Tiong Hui Sing for winning bronze at the Special Olympic World Games 2023 in Berlin.
Fatimah said various forms of assistance are provided by the government, such as the Endowment Fund, Bantuan Ibu Bersalin (BIB) and medical assistance which everyone can apply.
“As long as you are a Sarawakian you can apply for assistance. That is the policy and philosophy of our state government,” she said.
Meanwhile, on Agnes’ achievement, Fatimah said the 14-year-old athlete has achieved a milestone in her career.
“It is not easy to reach international level as you need to go through school, division, state, and national levels first. She achieved that with strong support from her mother Chua Hong Bing and coach,” she said.
Fatimah hoped that the federal government under the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will give incentives and recognition to all the Sarawak para-athletes who represent Malaysia.
“Sarawak will do the same under Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development,” she said.
Also present were Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Noriah Ahmad, paediatrician and the head of Clinical Research Centre at Sibu Hospital Dr Toh Teck Hock.
