KUCHING: The Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development is ready to form a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, especially in human capital development.
Its minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the transfer of former Assistant Minister of Community Welfare Datuk Francis Harden Hollis to the ministry would also facilitate the process.
“I consider the ministry to have a huge impact on human capital development and it is also a great opportunity for us to carry out its responsibilities together more closely than before.
“We also know each other, so it will be easier for us to work together and it will help both ministries to achieve each of our objectives,” she said.
Fatimah said this while speaking at the Handover Ceremony of the Assistant Minister of Community Welfare at Bangunan Baitul Makmur 2 today.
In this regard, she added, there are many collaborations that can be implemented, especially in the early development of children and the empowerment of people with disabilities (OKU).
“We also need to ensure that every child has access to early education, equity, quality, talent development as it is an ongoing process and so on.
“Meanwhile, for children with learning difficulties we also want to ensure that they have the opportunity to develop their talents, including in sports – Paralympics, Sukma and many more.
“At the same time, we can also work together in an effort to combat the issue of drug and illicit substance abuse, especially involving school students,” she said.
In a related matter, Fatimah also said that the appointment of Francis as the Assistant Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development is a boon to the collaboration.
“The thing is, he (Francis) already understands what we want to achieve, our aspirations because he has been with us before and also understands the challenges we face to achieve the objectives.
“Therefore, if we work together, God willing, we will be able to achieve more success, KPWK will have new strategic partners and will provide benefits through cooperation – to be enjoyed by the people and achieve community wellbeing,” she explained.
Earlier on, she also witnessed the handover of duties between former Assistant Minister of Community Welfare Francis and new Assistant Minister Mohammad Razi Sitam.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Child Development Datuk Rosey Yunus; KPWK Permanent Secretary Dr Rashidah Bolhassan; Sarawak Social Welfare Department Director Noriah Ahmad and other representatives.
