KUCHING: The Head of State Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud made many contributions to Sarawak when he was chief minister, said Minister of Welfare, Community, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
“Among them is the increase of women in politics,” she pointed out in a statement yesterday issued in conjunction with Taib’s upcoming 85th birthday celebration.
The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Women chief said Taib saw the importance of women representation in decision making, particularly in politics.
“His political will resulted in an increase in the number of women politicians as state assemblywomen and MPs,” she said.
Another contribution by Taib was in the state’s early childhood care and education (ECCE), she added.
“When Taib was the chief minister, he felt that ECCE should not be left entirely to the federal government and the private sector.
“He said that the state government should take the lead role in ensuring issues related to access, equity and quality in ECCE were addressed appropriately.
“Taib also viewed that preschool education must be made the foundation of our education in the overall programme to produce knowledge workers in the knowledge-based economy towards 2020 and beyond,” she said.
The Dalat assemblywoman added that Taib also wanted Sarawakians to treasure the state’s unique multi-cultural and multi-ethnic characteristics.
“He believes each community has a role to play in forging a united and harmonious Sarawak.
“Thus, the cultural symposium organised by the state government once every five years is a testimony to this,” said Fatimah.
