Sabah women appreciate budget allocation, but want more female ministers

KOTA KINABALU – Despite having no women holding any ministerial posts in the state cabinet, the Sabah 2021 budget managed to squeeze an allocation of RM15.66 million for various women development programmes.

Under the budget announced yesterday, included a RM5.86 million allocation for various upskill courses for single mothers and underprivileged women under supervision of the Women Affairs Department (JHEWA).  

The women’s wing of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) said the state budget showed the state government’s seriousness in empowering women.  

Its women chief Irene Chan Kam Ndin also welcomed the development programmes which included RM9.8 million provided under Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM) to provide micro-credit loans to women. 

“It is hoped that the Women Development Programmes will improve the livelihoods of our women in our society and empower them to face the economic hardships especially at this time when we are all affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Chan said.  

Sabah state cabinet only has two women who are Flovia Ng and Datuk Julita Mojungki, both holding positions as Assistant Ministers of Community Development and People's Wellbeing respectively. 

She also called on women in Sabah to use this opportunity and take advantage of the development programme launched by the government to improve and uplift their standards of living.

She said the allocation should be fairly distributed and reach the truly needy ones.  

After the Sabah cabinet was formed in October, women’s groups in Sabah have been outspoken in voicing their disappointment over the lack of women in the cabinet.  

Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group operations officer Amy reportedly said that it was a “backward move” by the government.

It was also a loud and clear message sent by the government that they do not think women matter at the decision-making level. –The Vibes, December 19, 2020.