Sabah govt committed to strengthening people's well-being, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government remains firm in its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of its people and ensuring no one is left behind in the country's social development efforts.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that social wellbeing remains a core priority of the state administration, with substantial allocations set aside to support vulnerable groups.
"For this year alone, RM162.42mil has been allocated to the Ministry of Community Development and People's Wellbeing and its related agencies to carry out various programmes directly benefiting the people.
"Of this amount, RM76.29mil is being channelled towards supporting persons with disabilities, senior citizens, single mothers, children, and orphans through targeted assistance schemes," he said.
Speaking at the Kembara Kasih KPWKM 2025 and the Mobile One-Stop Social Support Centre (PSSS) launch at Padang Astaka in Tuaran on Friday (May 16), Hajiji said an additional RM956,000 has also been allocated for wellbeing programmes focusing on family development, consumer rights, women's empowerment, and healthy lifestyles.
He also revealed that RM550,000 has been allocated to the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) Sabah to address drug abuse, particularly among students.
He thanked the Federal Government, particularly the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, for its continued assistance to the people of Sabah.
This includes RM300,000 in flood relief aid for Sabah in 2025 from the National Welfare Foundation and RM2.1mil for the operation of 384 Temporary Evacuation Centres during flood emergencies.
A further RM330mil under the Federal Government's 2025 Financial Assistance Programme has also been earmarked for Sabah, with RM315mil already distributed to 45,572 recipients via the Department of Social Welfare.
'This clearly reflects the Federal Government's commitment to the well-being of Sabahans and its determination to strengthen the social safety net,' Hajiji said.
He also welcomed the launch of the Mobile PSSS initiative, describing it as timely amid the nation's growing mental health challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Quoting a Health Ministry report, he said over five million Malaysians are struggling with depression, anxiety and stress, with suicide cases on the rise.
'This mobile unit is expected to reach rural communities, offering much-needed psychosocial support, especially for individuals dealing with divorce, abuse, unemployment, and financial hardship.'
Hajiji encouraged residents, particularly those along the Kembara Kasih 2025 route, to attend and take full advantage of the services offered.
The initiative covers two main zones in Sabah, namely Tuaran, Papar, and Penampang under Zone 1, and Zone 2 covers Lahad Datu, Kunak, and Tawau, bringing together various government agencies to provide holistic welfare support.
He also expressed hope that such programmes would continue and be extended to other districts in the future.
Also present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Public healthcare network making good progress
THREE key expansion projects of Penang Hospital with a combined value of RM758mil, are currently progressing at various stages. Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the first project, the Women and Children's Block, had reach 34.35% completion as of May 22. 'The first project worth RM307mil is scheduled for completion in January 2026,' he said in a press conference after a site visit at Jalan Residensi. Gooi said the project was being implemented under a design-and-build tender system and included the construction of a 12-storey parking complex and an 8-storey hospital building with a 329-bed capacity alongside various specialised healthcare services. The parking complex, he added, would be able to accommodate 449 cars at one time. Gooi said the second project, the new Stem Cell Services Centre Block, valued at RM23mil, was expected to be completed by March 2027. 'Additional infrastructure includes 25 parking bays, a covered connecting bridge, support buildings (including a waste house and M&E room) and utility upgrades. 'This project is 10.19% completed as of May 29, with completion scheduled for March 2027,' he said The Women and Children Block is 34.35% completed as of May 22. It is expected to be ready by January next year. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star The project, he elaborated, was being carried out using the conventional method under the supervision of the Public Works Department (JKR). He said the facility would enhance transplant-related services, including apheresis units, stem cell laboratories and other support facilities. 'The third project, the Specialist Clinic and Ward Block, with a budget of RM428mil, is projected to be completed by May 2029. 'The project is being developed through a conventional approach under JKR, where the 14-storey block will house specialist outpatient clinics and wards with a capacity of 216 beds,' he said. He added that the project currently stood at 3.33% progress as of May 20, with completion targeted for May 2029. Gooi said these expansion projects, when ready, would mark a significant enhancement to the state's healthcare system and facilities. The projects represented strategic investments by the Federal Government to upgrade public healthcare infrastructure in the state under the 10th and 11th Malaysia plans, he said. 'We are grateful to the Federal Government for approving these allocations. This marks a significant milestone in enhancing healthcare services for the people of Penang.' Gooi said the developments would not only strengthen Penang's healthcare system but also significantly improve the quality of medical services for its residents. He said the state government, through his office, remained committed to enhancing the public healthcare network, closing the gap in treatment accessibility and ensuring quality, equitable and comprehensive services for all. Gooi added that these initiatives aligned with the Penang2030 vision and the Malaysia Madani framework, which prioritised values of well-being, justice and compassion in the delivery of public services. Penang Hospital is one of the oldest public hospitals in Malaysia, with a history dating back to the colonial era. Located in George Town, it is the largest government hospital in the northern region and is a tertiary referral centre for Penang, Kedah, Perlis and northern Perak. It was established in the 19th century during British rule to serve the growing population in Penang, which was then an important trading hub. Post-independence, the hospital underwent several modernisation projects, with the addition of new medical departments, specialist units, and upgraded facilities. Over the decades, it expanded to provide specialist medical care, catering to the increasing healthcare demands. The hospital also played a crucial role in handling major health crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic where it served as a key treatment centre.
Free Malaysia Today
29-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Deputy minister blames UMS water woes on tube well
The state government is said to be expediting the construction of a pipe from the water treatment plant in Telibong, which is expected to be a long-term solution to UMS's water woes. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A federal deputy minister has blamed the prolonged water disruptions at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on the tube well which he says can only supply one million litres of water daily. Mustapha Sakmud said the campus needs five million litres per day. He said he had asked chief minister Hajiji Noor to order the Sabah water department to ensure that water supply to the campus remains uninterrupted. 'The state government is expediting the construction of a pipe from the water treatment plant in Telibong to meet the demands of the increasing number of consumers,' the deputy higher education minister told FMT, adding that the pipe should be a long-term solution to UMS's water woes. 'We were informed that the project (pipe construction) is progressing slowly due to the ongoing construction of the Pan Borneo Highway,' he added. Yesterday, the Sabah chapter of the National Consumer Foundation Malaysia expressed concern over the water supply disruptions at UMS. Its chairman David Chan said the prolonged crisis reflected poorly on the state's ability to provide basic utilities to vital institutions, The Borneo Post reported. Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg pledged to raise the matter with higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir after a Sarawakian student wrote to him about the issue.
The Star
23-05-2025
- The Star
Meeting needs of ageing population
SENIOR citizens aged 60 and above make up 11.5% of Johor's population, or 482,600 individuals. Johor women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail said the state government was continuously improving services provided to them. 'Two committees have been established at the state and district levels, namely the state senior citizens development committee (JPWEN) and district senior citizens development committee. 'These two committees are established to ensure senior citizens' welfare is safeguarded by developing and implementing suitable programmes for them,' she said during the question-and-answer session of the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. She was responding to a question from Mohd Yusla Ismail (BN–Senggarang) regarding the state government's plans as Malaysia edged closer to becoming an ageing nation by 2030. Khairin-Nisa said the role of both committees was to assist in planning and coordinating the implementation of the National Senior Citizens Action Plan. 'The committees will help to identify issues or problems that require attention at the state level and improve senior citizen development programmes.' She also highlighted that the Federal Government has established senior citizens activity centres (Pawe). 'To date, there are 22 Pawe across Johor offering health classes, exercise sessions, recreational outings, lifelong learning, and opportunities for volunteer work,' she said. She added that activities were held weekly, monthly and annually, with each attracting 20 to 100 participants.
