KUCHING: Women’s leadership in politics in Sarawak still needs to be further strengthened, says Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Hence, she said the ASEAN Women’s Leadership Scholarship Programme is expected to be a concrete initiative by the Sarawak government to enhance women’s participation and leadership, particularly in the political arena.
According to her, the programme offers three scholarships to Sarawakian women to pursue a Master of Arts in Leadership Development at the ASEAN Women Leadership University College (AWLUC) in Penang.
“This initiative is among the measures approved by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in conjunction with the 2025 Women’s Day celebration as part of efforts to empower women’s leadership in the state.
“This programme is a concrete step toward building a group of highly capable women who are ready to become leaders and produce more knowledgeable, skilled, and globally minded Sarawakian women to lead society,” she said.
She said this during a press conference after chairing the Sarawak Women and Family Council (MWKS) meeting at Wisma Wanita here on Sunday.
Fatimah added that the one-year full-time programme will begin its first intake in January 2026 at the university’s campus located at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
She said Yayasan Sarawak will serve as the scholarship provider, while her ministry will sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the university before the end of this year.
“We are deeply grateful to the Premier of Sarawak for agreeing to sponsor these three scholarships through Yayasan Sarawak.
“This is an important investment in the development of women’s human capital in the state,” she said.
When asked about applicant eligibility, Fatimah said a selection committee will be formed to assess candidates’ qualifications.
“We want candidates who are focused and committed because this is a full-time study programme.
“One of the main requirements is having a bachelor’s degree, but candidates with extensive work experience and no degree may also be considered based on merit,” she said.
She added that AWLUC was chosen as the partner institution because it brings together female students from various Asian countries, including Indonesia, the Maldives, and South Africa.
“We want our participants to be exposed to global perspectives and to understand how women from other countries face and overcome their challenges.
“This will help shape Sarawak’s women leaders to be broad-minded and prepared to lead at higher levels.
“I am confidence that the programme will serve as a strategic platform to strengthen women’s participation in leadership at the state level, while also paving the way for more Sarawakian women to enter politics and public administration,” she added.
