SIBU: The Ministry for Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development is committed to empowering women to venture into business, especially in light of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) increase from 6 per cent to 8 per cent, effective March 1.
“Starting today, the SST will see an increase from 6 per cent to 8 per cent. The cost of food and other essential things will be affected. The B40 group whose income is not stable will feel the pinch with higher price of goods,” minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said.
She said this at the Program Jelajah Kerjaya Wanita Sarawak Bahagian Sibu at Sibu Gateway here on Friday (March 1).
At the programme, a total of 43 recipients received Female Head of Household Micro Assistance (KIRWaS) amounting to RM500, while 143 women from the lower-income group have received a total grant of RM276,158.50.
Fatimah also stressed that the ministry is currently doubling its efforts in assisting women to provide supplementary income to the family due to the rising cost of living.
“Some of the women are the breadwinners of the family as their husband cannot work due to sickness while others are single mothers.”
Fatimah also emphasised the importance of women utilising their skills in entrepreneurship to empower family economies amidst rising living costs.
She highlighted how women played a crucial role during the Covid-19 pandemic, engaging in online sales to generate income.
Also present was Sarawak Women and Family Department director Salmah Jobeli.
