KOTA KINABALU: Nominated Assemblywoman Datuk Amisah Yassin proposed a Ministry of Women and Family Development to be established in Sabah as a development effort that should give more focus on women development and empowerment.
She said this is appropriate with the current needs including women’s involvement and contribution to the society.
“Now is the time for this proposed Ministry to be established in Sabah, just like the one that exists in the Federal Government and Sarawak
“Such Ministry needs to be created to play a role in enacting, implementing and developing women’s ability to face the economic and social world more effectively and comprehensively. Many aspects can be implemented through this ministry and it will be more focused.
“For example, women’s development programmes in the field of economics, intellectual expertise start from children, teenagers in higher education centres, skill training institutions and so on,” she said.
Amisah said this in her speech when debating the 2023 budget at the Sabah State Assembly, Monday.
She also emphasised that programmes that have elements of women’s development and empowerment are very important in further increasing the involvement and participation of women in the economic and social sectors.
She said that includes the active involvement of women in politics and the empowerment of the people’s communities.
“It is not impossible for this effort to be implemented because women have the strength to take care of families, manage households and it is not impossible for women to be leaders.
“I suggest that for the future, especially the next State Election (PRN), female candidates should be highlighted because we have 73 state assembly members and we need at least 10 to 20 assembly members from among women,” Amisah said.
Besides that, for Cabinet posts, she said two women should be appointed as full ministers and six female assistant ministers.
“I feel that this proposal deserves to be seriously considered considering that the percentage of women at the moment has greatly increased and is also a major contributor to the economic progress and social development of the people,” she said.
Amisah also requested that the voice of women in the decision-making level be taken into account because women’s involvement in the political field has become more widespread.
“It’s not just for gender equality, but it’s more about fighting for the voices and needs of women as a whole.
“Therefore, in line with the desire to reform the Sabah state assembly, I propose that in the upcoming State election, at least 30 per cent of the state assembly seats should be filled by women, including 30 per cent of the members of the Dewan Negara who are also women,” she said.
Amisah said women can also be appointed to be members of government companies (GLCs) to ensure that women’s issues and needs are taken into account as policy makers.
“Worthy and capable women should be appointed as GLC chairpersons, and appear as leaders in making decisions and policies,” she said.
On another development, Amisah urged the government to further improve the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) by reviewing re-delineation of the parliamentary seats in Sabah.
She said, the review would involve additional seats that might suit the current situation and needs.
“This is necessary because the current situation and needs are also changing.
“Some parliamentary constituencies are too large and thus difficult to implement the monitoring and development process.
“The best step is to carry out the duties efficiently to the people and the voters, which is none other than speeding up the re-delineation process, especially for Sabah and Sarawak,” she said.