Latest news with #ChildhoodandCommunityWellbeingDevelopment
The Star
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
110 S'wak students get PETRONAS sponsorship for tertiary studies
KUCHING: Some 110 Sarawakian students have received sponsorships totalling RM28mil from PETRONAS for their tertiary studies. The outstanding 2024 SPM school leavers from diverse backgrounds will pursue degrees in engineering, economics, law and other industry-related courses at local and overseas universities under the PETRONAS Powering Knowledge education sponsorship. State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah welcomed the national oil corporation's continuous commitment to developing Sarawakian talent. "By investing in the education and development of Sarawakian youth, PETRONAS is helping us lay the foundation for a future that is resilient, competitive and inclusive," she said at the sponsorship presentation ceremony here on Tuesday (July 29). Fatimah, who was representing Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, said this aligned with the state government's post-Covid-19 development strategy, which aimed to position Sarawak as a high-income developed state by 2030. "At the heart of this vision is our focus on building talent and expanding opportunities across all levels of education, from early childhood to tertiary, from academic pathways to technical and vocational training. "We are determined to ensure that every Sarawakian has the opportunity to thrive and move forward," she said. Fatimah also said the education sponsorship was a platform to shape future professionals and leaders who would contribute to Sarawak's and Malaysia's progress. "What we hope to see in return is not only graduates with academic excellence, but individuals who come back with a sense of responsibility and purpose," she added. PETRONAS senior general manager (human capital expertise) Akmal Niza Ahmad said the Powering Knowledge initiative supported a wide range of programmes to empower Malaysians from all walks of life. "This is part of our commitment, reinforcing how we continue to invest in future talent for the organisation, the industry and the nation," she said. Since its inception in 1975, the PETRONAS education sponsorship has benefitted over 40,000 Malaysian students.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Fatimah leads welfare effort for orphaned siblings in Mukah
Fatimah (second right) meets the four orphaned siblings, offering words of comfort and support. – Ukas photo MUKAH (July 27): The Sarawak government, in collaboration with the local community, has swiftly stepped in to support four siblings who were left orphaned following the recent passing of their father, the late Abu Kassim Mohamad. In a compassionate show of solidarity, Sarawak Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, visited the grieving family at Kampung Sungai Alo on Saturday. Fatimah, who is also the Dalat assemblywoman, led the delivery of welfare aid from the state government and various agencies. According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Fatimah announced that the four children would receive monthly assistance of RM800 under the Children's Aid Scheme. In addition, the children would also receive RM50 per month from the state's Special Provision Fund (TPN) for a period of one year, starting from August 2025 until July 2026. 'This assistance is aimed at ensuring the children's well-being is safeguarded and their education and daily lives can continue smoothly despite the loss of their parents,' Fatimah told reporters. A one-off cash aid of RM400 was also credited directly into the account of their aunt, Hawi Shafiee, who is now the children's legal guardian. Several schools, including SK Kampung Seberang, SMK Three Rivers, SMK St Patrick, and the Mukah branch of Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak (TBS), also stepped in to provide essential supplies and financial support. This initiative reflects the compassion and solidarity of both the community and the government in supporting children through tragic circumstances. Fatimah further urged the local community to continue playing an active role in safeguarding the future of the children. 'Though the loss is profound, continued support will provide these children with strength and renewed hope,' she said. The late Abu Kassim, who passed away on July 23 due to health complications, left behind three daughters aged 18, 16, and 7, and a 12-year-old son. His wife had passed away some time ago, leaving the children orphaned. community welfare fatimah abdullah orphan
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Declining birth rate: Where are all our children?
Children from the Sunday school seen during the 'Parents Day' celebration at the Tabuan Jaya Anglican Church. ALARM bells are ringing as recent statistics have shown that Sarawak's fertility rate and population growth are on a steep and rapid downward trend. This has been happening without pause since 1970 when the number of babies born numbered about 40,000 per year. Now, it's only half – at 20,000! On July 15, Sarawak's Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said that our fertility rate had declined drastically from a high of 4.9 per cent to only 1.6 per cent in 2023. We need a fertility rate of a minimum of two per cent to just re-populate ourselves! Our birth rate, in actual numbers, is now only 12.5 per 1,000 people, versus the national average of 12.9. There are many reasons attributable to these statistics, some of which may not appear to be obvious or are widely known. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM), the average age of Malaysians getting married rose from 24.7 years in 1990 to 28.9 in 2022. In the average family, women today have one or two children as compared to five in 1970. From a personal perspective, this has certainly been the classic case in my family too. My grandfather, born in 1896 and died in 1982, had 14 children: 10 boys and four girls. My father, born in 1926 and died in 2023, had five: three boys and two girls. Me, born in 1950, have a boy and two girls; of my three children, they have just two – both boys. This has been the story of how our typical Sarawakian families have not replaced themselves insofar as head count is concerned. I am sure that it has happened along the same trajectory with most other families, regardless of race, religion or creed. Back in the 1970s, the man in the family would virtually be the sole breadwinner, leaving the wife at home with domestic chores and raising children. The trend then was living with parents or there were elders in the house with them as well. After getting married, the expectation was to immediately start a family, and with traditional and conservative lifestyles, there would be little said about 'family planning' or birth control. Prior to the 1980s, one would still need a doctor's prescription for birth control pills and contraceptives like condoms were not as freely available on sale, only at pharmacies and the odd 'specialist stores'. Compare that situation then to that after the 2000s when you can buy all these easily online, sight unseen and delivered to your very doorstep. In the 1950s, that 'Silent Generation' (those born between 1928 and 1945) of the time had married young, usually between ages of 18 and 23, and they came of age during the post-World War II boom. Without the mass availability of birth control and coupled with the added security of the presence of other family members, usually parents, living under the same roof, that generation had felt secure with bringing children into this world. This trend was to continue for the next two generations: the 'Baby Boomers' (those born between 1946 and 1964), and even up till Gen X (those born between 1965 and 1979). It is my belief that things had started going downhill from the 'Millennials' – also known as 'Gen Y' (those born between 1981 and 1996) and continued into Gen Z (1997-2012) – also known as 'iGen' or 'Centennials'. The present Gen Alpha (2013-2025) will only reach the age of maturity of 21 in 2034, so they are completely out of our discussion in this matter of re-producing the future generation. Starting with the Baby Boomers, the trend was for both the mother and the father going to work, leaving behind their children either to some elders' care or in a kindergarten or playschool. Domestic help was still commonly available, and their wages were reasonable. By late 1990s, there was a seismic shift in the demand for such domestics as more and more young married couples took up employment in many diverse industries and professions. This had created a situation where the supply could not meet the high demand. By this time too, domestics from homes in and around Sarawak as well as those from a neighbouring country had also discovered more attractive employment outside of the state, as they looked towards Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and even further afield to the Middle East and the Far East, enticed with double or even triple of whatever they could earn back home. At the same time, the cost of educating pre-schoolers had also gone up in line with rising costs of living, inflation and the weak ringgit vis-a-vis other foreign currencies. This double-whammy had caused what had initially appeared to be an attractive and comfortable double-income family earnings to be eroded; thereby leaving not much savings after all these expenses. Most families had taken the decision to either stop at just one child, or at most two, so that they could plan their future educational needs within their budgets. A few more young families took other decisions: some to curtail one income and stop working; some to relocate and seek new horizons; many had either downsized or gone back to live with a parent. There is a dire and serious social implication if this downward trend continues. We are on track to become an aged nation (no longer are we in that 'ageing stage') by 2030 – that's just five years away! Our life expectancy has continued to increase. A baby born in 2023 is now expected to live on average up to 74.8 years – an increase of 13.2 years to one born in 1970, whose expectancy was only 61.6 years then. In less than a decade, as an aged nation, we face a shrinking working-age population and a growing elderly population. There will be fewer people around to support the elderly folks, to care for them and financially fend for their welfare and health needs. It is not uncommon these days to read news reports in some ageing countries like Japan and Korea, and even in Europe, where many elderly people lived on their own, had died alone, and had gone unnoticed for days or even weeks. Sarawak's population stands at 2,907,500, of which senior citizens aged 60 and above had already made up 15 per cent (436,125) in 2020. It is estimated that by 2028, this would double to 30 per cent (872,250), which in reality, means that every third person you meet will be a senior. In a press report on Aug 6 last year, Dato Seri Fatimah Abdullah had assured us: 'My ministry is carrying out a statewide survey to look into these issues facing Sarawak society.' She had also said that the ministry would work out 'detailed planning to care for more elderly people every year', and 'would study the measures being taken by governments of developed countries to care for the elderly'. 'Sarawak needs to introduce such measures into its community development planning without delay,' she was quoted as having said. It would have been exactly one year by August next month, dear minister. I hope there's been some positive development from the ministry regarding these matters – did you say 'without delay'? In the meantime, all we can do is to urge our married couples here to be more 'productive', so as to ensure that at least we can replace ourselves in our Sarawak population. Genesis 1:28: 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the seas and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.' Amen. * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper. ageing population declining birthrate
Borneo Post
21-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Zumba brings over 1,000 Mirians together for Sarawak Day celebration
(From second right) Yii, Lee, Rosey, Galong, and others in a photo taken during the Zumba session. MIRI (July 21): Over 1,000 Mirians gathered at the Miri Indoor Stadium yesterday morning for a high-energy Zumba session held in conjunction with the Sarawak Day 2025 celebration. The event, organised to promote healthy living and foster community spirit, brought together participants of all ages to enjoy upbeat music in a lively and inclusive atmosphere. Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who officiated the event, praised the participants for their energy and enthusiasm. 'This Zumba programme proves that the Sarawak Day celebration is not just about official events and protocols, but also about grassroots initiatives that encourage a healthy lifestyle and serve as a symbol of unity among people of various races and age groups,' said Lee. Lee (front, fifth left) joins over 1,000 Mirians in the Zumba session. The Senadin assemblyman also noted that such activities play a vital role in supporting the state's agenda for wellbeing and productivity. 'This year's Sarawak Day theme, 'Sarawak Maju Makmur' (Progressive and Prosperous Sarawak), reflects not only economic and physical growth, but also the importance of health, unity, and quality of life,' he remarked. 'Sarawak's sons and daughters must be healthy to contribute, strong to continue striving, and united to move forward together,' he emphasised. Lee further urged participants to let this event be the beginning of a more active lifestyle. Among those present were Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, Miri mayor cum Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii, and Miri Resident Galong Luang, along with other local community leaders. community healthy living lead Lee Kim Shin zumba
Borneo Post
16-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Dalat a model for rural education success, says Fatimah
Fatimah (centre) presents a financial study aid to a student in Dalat today. DALAT (July 16): Dalat is fast becoming a model of success in Sarawak's rural education efforts, where strategic, data-driven policies are being used to tackle poverty and widen access to higher learning. State Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said the Dalat constituency has shown that well-targeted financial aid and strong community involvement can transform lives and strengthen local development. She revealed that Since 2010, the Dalat Education Committee has disbursed RM952,050 in aid, benefitting over 1,800 students pursuing certificate, diploma, degree and other higher education programmes. 'This is not just financial assistance, this is an investment in our children's future and in Dalat's socio-economic development. 'Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and we must ensure that every child who earns a place at university has the means to go,' she said during the N.56 Dalat Education Committee Assistance Presentation Ceremony at the Dalat Service Centre here today. Fatimah said the aid, drawn from Minor Rural Project (MRP) allocations, aims to reduce the financial burden on families—particularly for upfront costs such as travel, deposits and essential supplies. 'Sometimes students don't even enrol because of financial constraints, even after receiving a university offer. That should never happen,' she said. Looking ahead, Fatimah announced that her ministry will meet this week with the State Development Office (SDO) and local community leaders to verify and update national poverty data under the eKasih system for Dalat. 'This is to ensure that our aid reaches the right people. We don't want outdated or inaccurate data. We'll work with village chiefs and community leaders to clean the list and identify those truly in need,' she said. She noted that this grassroots verification method had been effective in addressing hardcore poverty, and would now be applied to target relative poverty in the district. Fatimah also expressed concern about the rising number of unemployed graduates returning home, saying many had pursued fields that are no longer in demand. To address this mismatch, she said the Sarawak government will begin offering free higher education at state-owned institutions starting in 2026, but only for courses with strong job prospects such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), law, and finance. 'Graduates must not only obtain degrees, they must be employable. This is why we are focused on guiding students toward fields with strong job prospects,' she said. She also revealed that her team is working with the Resident's Office to identify unemployed graduates in Dalat, with plans to organise a job fair or training initiatives in collaboration with agencies such as the Social Security organisation (Perkeso). Among the education assistance available is the Sarawak Special Financial Aid of RM1,200 per year disbursed in two instalments via Yayasan Sarawak. Graduates who return to Sarawak after completing their studies are also eligible for a one-off RM300 grant, claimable twice. Fatimah urged all eligible students to apply, while reminding them of the sacrifices made by their families. 'We eat simply so our children can dream big. We hope our students remember this and stay motivated to succeed, not only for themselves but for their families and community,' she said. She reaffirmed her ministry's commitment to ensuring fair access to education and creating meaningful opportunities for rural youth. 'This is a long-term investment in Dalat's future. We want our children to succeed, come back, contribute, and lift their families and our community to greater heights,' she said. Dalat fatimah abdullah rural education
