KUCHING: Three focus areas are targeted by the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family, and Childhood Development that has been tasked to implement programmes for solidarity.
This was revealed by its minister, Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, during a press conference at her office in Bangunan Baitulmakmur here on Wednesday.
According to her, the three main areas are public confidence on safety and security, solidarity, and reducing reliance on social welfare assistance.
Additionally, the programmes that they will continue on with are ‘Sarawak Celebrates’, whereby the four main festivals in the state (Chinese New Year, Raya, Gawai, and Christmas) are celebrated at every district level.
The other programme will be ‘Sayang Sarawak Ibu Pertiwiku’ which will see the formation of a committee to implement it next month.
The ‘Rancangan Integrasi Murid Untuk Perpaduan’ (RIMUP) Sarawak Intiative programme will also be handled by the ministry, which targets school students.
Speaking on RIMUP Sarawak Initiative Programme, Fatimah said that it is an effort on part of the state government to ensure that solidarity prevails in Sarawak.
“Without unity, there is no peace and no progress and we cannot take solidarity for granted,” she said.
She revealed that after a brainstorming session, they have further targeted eight issues that needed to be addressed.
The eight issues are drifting society, individualism which could lead to the dilution of solidarity, virtual and trending relationship, diminishing sense of patriotism, extremism, apathy among young generation towards government policies, dysfunctional family institution, and dysfunctional societal grassroot leadership.
“These are the areas of concern that have been identified and we don’t want to sweep them under the carpet.
“We are aware that there are things that need to be addressed,” she said.
Also present during the press conference was Assistant Minister of Community Wellbeing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.
