SIBU: Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, visited the Sarawak Central Region Single Mothers Association (PITWITS) office here today to better understand their issues.
According to Tiang, a fruitful dialogue session was held during the visit, and several issues and requests were raised and will be looked into.
“One of them is their wish to have their own association building, and I’m very grateful that Bukit Assek assemblyman, Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, through Land and Survey Sarawak, has identified a piece of land proposed to be their future association building.
“I will follow up on this matter with the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development to get their recommendation and support for this land, so that they can further plan for the building.
“I will also give my full support to this initiative,” he said to reporters after his visit to the association building.
Tiang, who is also the Pelawan assemblyman, said that the association members also requested some affordable housing.
“Regrettably, I informed them that at the moment, besides PPR Rantau Panjang, which is for rental, they can also get rental assistance from the Sarawak Government.
“However, the locality is apparently not suitable for most of the members.
“I told them that I have a new affordable housing project which I am still planning. I’m still applying for the Sarawak Government’s approval, so once I have that project approved, I will let them know.
“I will keep their needs in mind and open up applications for them in the future,” he added.
Tiang assured that he would be there to help the association, especially with specific or urgent cases, such as members needing help to start small businesses but not knowing how to begin, as “teaching a person to fish is better than giving a person a fish”.
At the programme, Tiang also presented food rations and flowers in conjunction with Mother’s Day celebration.
“I want to express my gratitude to all of them, the members of the association, especially the mothers.
“It is a great thing to be a mother, as they bring a huge impact to our community, fostering love, security, and healthy families,” he said.
Tiang also commended the mothers for their great work behind the scenes, acknowledging that it is not easy to be a mother and that their years of quiet contribution are among the greatest gifts to society.
