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The Star
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Wan Azizah hosts Asean leaders' spouses
Inspiring artwork: Dr Wan Azizah (centre) leading the spouses of Asean leaders in exploring innovative products developed by special needs groups under the ProWell project, during a programme held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit at Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya. — Bernama PUTRAJAYA: It was a display of unity wrapped in elegance at Seri Perdana Complex here as Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail hosted the spouses of Asean leaders ahead of the 46th Asean Summit. Among the distinguished guests hosted by the Prime Minister's wife were First Lady of the Philippines Louise Araneta-Marcos, Le Thi Bich Tran of Vietnam, Vandara Siphandone of Laos, Dr Pich Chanmony of Cambodia and Loo Tze Lui of Singapore. Also in attendance were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, her deputy Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad and Raja Datin Seri Salbiah Tengku Nujumudin, the spouse of Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Dr Wan Azizah hosted a luncheon in honour of the delegation, followed by a welcoming speech in which she expressed her appreciation for the presence of the Asean leaders' spouses and the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening regional ties. 'This year's Asean theme is Inclusivity and Sustainability. As Malaysia chairs this year's summit, we hold firmly to the belief that development must uplift every community and that our growth must respect both people and planet. 'Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has spoken of the importance of 'truly shared development', ensuring that no one is left behind. That includes not only economic opportunities, but also upholding dignity, identity and the well-being of all,' Dr Wan Azizah added. She also stressed the important role of Asean leaders' spouses in promoting the values of inclusivity and sustainability during this year's summit. 'As spouses of our Asean leaders, we play an essential role in nurturing that spirit. Through our work in community welfare, education, arts and culture, we hope to shine a light on compassion and connection. We build bridges, not just between nations but between hearts,' she said, according to Bernama. Guests were also treated to a choral speaking presentation by students from SMK Subang Utama, Subang Jaya, as well as a traditional dance performance by the Selangor Department of Culture and Arts and a musical performance by the National Symphony Orchestra under Istana Budaya. The programme concluded with an exhibition of Malaysian fruits organised by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority. This year marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing the regional bloc, having previously held the Asean chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Barnama
KPWKM Commended For Leading Advocacy Against Sexual Harassment
TAWAU, May 25 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has been commended for its proactive efforts nationwide in raising awareness about sexual harassment. Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, said sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, race or religion, and is often perpetrated by someone close to the victim. 'Many victims remain silent due to social pressure or simply because they don't know where to seek help. They should take advantage of the Sexual Harassment Redress Tribunal (TAGS) introduced by KPWKM. It provides a fast and low-cost alternative for addressing sexual harassment complaints. 'We all share the responsibility of creating a safe environment and supporting victims in seeking justice,' he said at the closing ceremony of the KPWKM Kembara Kasih 2025 programme and the handing over of the anti-sexual harassment notice last night. Also present was KPWKM Deputy Secretary-General (Operations), Farah Adura Hamidi. Joachim expressed concern over the rising trend of such cases in Malaysia, with 788 cases reported last year compared to 522 in 2023. As of March this year, 214 cases have already been recorded, five of them in Sabah. He praised the impact of the KPWKM Kembara Kasih 2025 programme, which covered six districts across Sabah, starting in Tuaran on May 16, then moving through Papar, Penampang, Lahad Datu, Kunak and ending in Tawau. He said the initiative brought meaningful benefits to key target groups in Sabah, particularly women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, through 34 programmes. 'Programmes like Ziarah Kasih, which deliver direct aid to clients of the Social Welfare Department and the National Population and Family Development Board, received strong support from the local community.
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
KPWKM Kembara Kasih 2025 in Sabah benefits over 10,000 residents
Deputy Secretary-General (Operations) of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Farah Adura Hamidi, helps a child colour a painting while visiting a nursery class upon arrival to officiate the handing over ceremony of the registered nursery plaque in conjunction with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development's Kembara Kasih 2025 at Taska Superkids in Tawau yesterday.-Bernama photo TAWAU (May 25): The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development's (KPWKM) 2025 Kembara Kasih roadshow, which spanned nearly 400 kilometres across six districts in Sabah, kicked off in Tuaran on May 16 and concluded in Tawau yesterday, successfully reaching and benefiting over 10,000 residents. Its Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the beneficiaries included those who attended and participated in 34 programmes held or accessed services provided at the various counters set up at the Kembara Kasih roadshow locations. 'Kembara Kasih also visited 14 clients of the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) along the convoy route. We hope these visits will help ease their burdens, offer motivation, and encourage them to rebuild their lives and move forward,' she said in a statement. The 2025 Kembara Kasih roadshow toured Zone 1, including Tuaran, Papar, and Penampang, from May 16 to 18, before moving on to Zone 2, covering Lahad Datu, Kunak and Tawau, from May 22 to 24. Nancy said that the Kembara Kasih focuses on five key elements: empowering family institutions, promoting and enhancing women's professionalism, developing community capacity and potential, strengthening community well-being, and advancing the care sector. She said that under the family empowerment element, LPPKN carried out three programmes: forum on character for parents in Penampang; men's wellbeing programme at the Marine Police Force headquarters in Lahad Datu, and the KASIH Remaja @ Kafeteen at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sri Nangka, Tuaran. As for promoting and enhancing women's professionalism, the Zero Tolerance for Violence programme was held at the Papar Community Hall, attracting over 700 participants. 'We are collaborating with the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives to organise sales events for female entrepreneurs, providing them opportunities to expand their markets and boost the local economy,' she said. Additionally, five programmes under the community capacity and potential development element were implemented by JKM, including the Intergenerational Mind Image programme and the inauguration of the senior citizens activity centre (PAWE) in Benoni, Papar. Other programmes were the child protection advocacy at SMK Limbanak, Penampang and SK Kampung Selamat, Kunak; the 'My Special Got Talent' programme for persons with disabilities (PwDs) at Dewan Sri Perdana, Lahad Datu; and a plaque handover ceremony for registered nurseries at Taska Superkids, Tawau. In terms of strengthening community well-being, Nancy said that the Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (YKN) implemented four Jelajah Kasih Local Social Support Centres (PSSS) and successfully provided services to more than 3,000 clients. 'Interestingly, Kembara Kasih KPWKM 2025 also made history with the launch of Sabah's first mobile PSSS,' she said. Yesterday, Nancy, in her speech at the closing ceremony held here, expressed gratitude for the smooth running of the programme, attributing its success to the strong commitment and support from all parties, including the Sabah government. The text of her speech was read out by KPWKM deputy secretary-general (Operations) Farah Adura Hamidi. The KPWKM Kembara Kasih 2025 also received cooperation from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) for the Rahmah MADANI Sales programme. – Bernama
The Sun
25-05-2025
- The Sun
KPWKM commended for leading advocacy against sexual harassment
TAWAU: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has been commended for its proactive efforts nationwide in raising awareness about sexual harassment. Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, said sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, race or religion, and is often perpetrated by someone close to the victim. 'Many victims remain silent due to social pressure or simply because they don't know where to seek help. They should take advantage of the Sexual Harassment Redress Tribunal (TAGS) introduced by KPWKM. It provides a fast and low-cost alternative for addressing sexual harassment complaints. 'We all share the responsibility of creating a safe environment and supporting victims in seeking justice,' he said at the closing ceremony of the KPWKM Kembara Kasih 2025 programme and the handing over of the anti-sexual harassment notice last night. Also present was KPWKM Deputy Secretary-General (Operations), Farah Adura Hamidi. Joachim expressed concern over the rising trend of such cases in Malaysia, with 788 cases reported last year compared to 522 in 2023. As of March this year, 214 cases have already been recorded, five of them in Sabah. He praised the impact of the KPWKM Kembara Kasih 2025 programme, which covered six districts across Sabah, starting in Tuaran on May 16, then moving through Papar, Penampang, Lahad Datu, Kunak and ending in Tawau. He said the initiative brought meaningful benefits to key target groups in Sabah, particularly women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, through 34 programmes. 'Programmes like Ziarah Kasih, which deliver direct aid to clients of the Social Welfare Department and the National Population and Family Development Board, received strong support from the local community. 'This reflects the government's continued commitment to the well-being of its people,' he added.
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sabah's fertility rate plummets to 1.4, well below replacement level
Nancy Shukri LAHAD DATU (May 23): Sabah's fertility rate has declined dramatically over the past four decades, prompting renewed government efforts to support couples facing fertility challenges, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said. Nancy said that according to the Malaysia Vital Statistics 2023 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Sabah's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) dropped from 5.5 children per woman in 1980 to just 1.4 in 2022, well below the replacement level of 2.1. While Terengganu registered the highest TFR at 2.9, Penang and Kuala Lumpur recorded the lowest at 1.2. Speaking at the launching of the Program Kesejahteraan Lelaki held in conjunction with the Program Kembara KASIH KPWKM 2025 here yesterday, Nancy said this downward trend, mirrored nationwide, raises serious demographic and social implications. 'This shows a clear pattern of declining fertility not only in Sabah but across Malaysia, with significant variation across ethnic groups. Nationally, Malays have the highest TFR at 2.2, followed by other Bumiputera at 1.8, while the Chinese community has the lowest at 0.9,' she said in her speech that was delivered by the ministry's Deputy Secretary-General (Operations), Farah Adura Hamidi. Nancy disclosed that in efforts to address the growing concern over infertility, the government has allocated RM6 million under Budget 2025 for the implementation of the Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), to be managed by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN). The programme, she said, aims to benefit 30,000 individuals and couples struggling with fertility issues adding that another RM1.3 million is set aside for men's health and wellness initiatives reaching 8,000 beneficiaries. 'Under the BuAI programme, 1,300 eligible couples will receive funding for up to two cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI), and nationwide advocacy campaigns will be launched under the tagline 'The Earlier, The Better',' she explained. She added that the programme also includes counselling, consultations, screenings and medical treatment for both fertility and male wellness issues. Since 2022, LPPKN has offered Men's Wellness Services through its Subfertility Clinic in Kuala Lumpur, focusing on psychosexual conditions such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, factors often overlooked in discussions around infertility. 'These services are not just about treatment, but also education. We promote smoking cessation, weight control and healthy eating. Lifestyle choices have a significant impact on fertility,' Nancy said. Due to strong public response, LPPKN has expanded the clinics to Johor Bahru, Penang, Melaka, Terengganu and Sarawak since September 2023. This year marks the first time the BuAI and Men's Wellness programmes are being implemented in Sabah. Nancy also said that the programmes are also stepping stones toward the establishment of the National Subfertility Centre in Shah Alam, expected to be completed by 2029. 'The centre will offer affordable fertility services, serve as a hub for research and advanced reproductive technologies, and train fertility specialists,' she said. Addressing the broader role of men in family life, Nancy highlighted findings from the National Father's Day 2024 Survey, which found that nine out of 10 fathers believe that being a father today is significantly more challenging than in the past. 'They face tremendous pressure from the rising cost of living and financial strain to maintaining work-life balance and dealing with emotional health. Many fathers wake up early, come home late, and often neglect their own well-being for the sake of their families,' she said. The 2022 Family Well-being Index also revealed that while Malaysian families are adapting to the digital era, challenges such as gadget addiction among children are affecting quality family time. One in three parents struggle to control their children's screen use, most of them aged between 30 and 49. Nancy also warned that subfertility, defined as the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected sex, is now a shared issue among couples. Malaysia's TFR stood at 1.7 in 2023, a modest rise from 1.6 the previous year, but still below the replacement level. 'International studies now estimate that male factors contribute to nearly 50% of infertility cases. In Malaysia, the percentage of abnormal sperm in samples tested rose from 39% in 2010 to 60% in 2019,' she disclosed. The rise in psychosexual disorders is also evident. LPPKN clinics saw male wellness cases increase from 432 in 2023 to 760 in 2024. Among young men aged 18 to 29, 36.9% reported experiencing erectile dysfunction, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022. In a heartfelt appeal, Nancy urged men to step forward and 'take charge' of their reproductive health. 'Do not be ashamed. Fertility issues are not just a woman's problem, they affect both partners. Start early, seek help together. The earlier, the better,' she said.
