KUCHING: The Sarawak government has agreed to sponsor the postgraduate education of three women pursuing their Master of Arts in Leadership Development at the Asian Women Leadership University College (AWLUC).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the aid, amounting to RM105,000, will be channeled through Yayasan Sarawak.
“I have agreed to this initiative, and I hope it will benefit our women,” he said during the Sarawak Women’s Day celebration held at the DUN Complex on Saturday (Aug 2).
This sponsorship is one of several efforts spearheaded by Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
In support of more women empowerment initiatives, Abang Johari also approved the establishment of a Women Entrepreneur Dashboard Model.
According to Fatimah, the model is inspired by PT Permodalan Nasional Madani’s (PNM) Dashboard Monitoring System in Indonesia but is being adapted and enhanced to suit Sarawak’s digital ecosystem, in collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED).
She said the main strength of this dashboard lies in its ability to synchronise women entrepreneur data in real time.
“With this system in place, policymakers will be able to make more accurate and data-driven decisions, while simultaneously empowering women entrepreneurs through increased visibility, connectivity, and access to better opportunities.
“This initiative is crucial to truly empower women in entrepreneurship, boost household income, address poverty at its root, and ultimately improve the overall well-being of the entire family unit,” she added.
The Premier also agreed in principle to the formation of the Sarawak Women Leadership Chair (SWLC).
Fatimah noted that the idea was first endorsed by Abang Johari during the 2023 Sarawak Women’s Day celebration.
Anchored at Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, the SWLC aims to become a regional hub for inclusive leadership development, high-impact research, policy-making, innovation, and strategic partnerships, all rooted in local values and aligned with both state and national agendas.
“The team is currently refining the chair’s structure, defining its leadership programme framework, and reviewing the financial requirements.
“This is a critical step to ensure that the SWLC is not merely symbolic, but a real driver of transformation for women’s leadership across Sarawak and the region,” Fatimah said.
She added that the chair will require RM5 million over five years to operate effectively and fulfill its mission.
