KUCHING: The Sarawak government will factor a proposed RM500,000 allocation for the Sarawak Women and Family Council (MWKS) into the 2027 State Budget, subject to the state’s budget planning and approval process.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposed allocation would be planned accordingly as part of the state’s budgeting process, stressing that government funds must be managed in an orderly manner.
“God willing, we will include it in the 2027 Budget. The way I manage our finances is through proper planning,” he said in his speech during the 2026 Sarawak Women’s Day celebration at Pullman Hotel here on Sunday.
Abang Johari said the state government could not simply approve allocations without proper consideration, adding that the funding would support training programmes and initiatives aimed at strengthening the role and status of women in Sarawak.
“We have to factor it into our estimated budget because the funding is also meant to enhance training and further elevate the status of women in Sarawak. We will provide sufficient allocation for that,” he said.
Abang Johari also commended the achievements of Sarawakian women, describing them as a source of pride and inspiration.
“Alhamdulillah, thank God, we have many outstanding women from Sarawak who are highly successful, not only here but also in Peninsular Malaysia. That has become a source of encouragement for all of us,” he said.
He stressed that unity and sound policies remained crucial to achieving the state’s Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 goals, including producing more women technocrats.
“What is most important is our unity and the policies we implement. If the situation were chaotic, we would not be able to carry out our policies and achieve our 2030 aspirations, including producing more women as technocrats,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the ministry had sought an increase in MWKS’ annual fixed grant from RM54,400, which has remained unchanged since 1986, to RM500,000.
“This additional funding will enable MWKS to better fulfil its mandated role of being responsible for coordinating all women’s organisation activities and serving as an advisory body to the government on issues, policies and legislation towards the sustainable wellbeing of women and families,” she said.
She also sought state government support for several other initiatives, including the development of a women entrepreneurs dashboard to further strengthen the economic empowerment of women.
