Quota in govt projects among Swepa's requests
Published on: Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun assured leaders of the Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (Swepa) that he would convey their requests to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.He represented Musa at the 10th Swepa Installation cum Charity Gala Dinner 2015 with the theme Bollywood Extravaganza at the Sabah Hakka Hall, Saturday."We all know that the CM is a very generous man. And knowing that Swepa is a result-oriented organisation, I have full confidence that he will meet most of your requests. I can assure you (newly-installed Datin Albina Ogor Abdullah)," he said.
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Masidi was responding to Albina who made a request for Musa to allocate a quota for Swepa in government projects, grants and directorships in government-linked companies (GLCs)."Such opportunities will help raise the socio-economic status of women entrepreneurs in Sabah," she said.In her maiden address, the 11th Swepa President (2015-2017) also urged the State Government to consider granting a piece of land for Swepa to build their own premises.On her presidential theme Strive Towards Achievement, Albina expressed her wish for the association to improve working relations with various government agencies and the corporate sector. "We aspire to achieve the next level of empowerment through further growth of entrepreneurship for all our members," she said.
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Masidi, meanwhile, described the occasion as a tremendous success, going by the number of tables (100) sold by the Organising Committee headed by Datuk Aminah Ambrose.Paying tribute to Swepa, he said : "The good news about women NGOs in Sabah is that they really mean what they say. I must congratulate Swepa. They take their work seriously and organise it well.
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"Their recipe for success is that all the ladies work very hard. They make sure they get things done. They are very focused in their work. In short, they are result-oriented people."On a personal level, the Minister noted that in his ministerial portfolio, he is surrounded by powerful ladies. "For a start, my political secretary is a lady (Datuk Amisah Yassin). Until recently, my permanent secretary was a lady (Datuk Suzannah Liaw). My biggest task is tourism promotion and the CEO of the Sabah Tourism Board is also a lady (Datuk Irene Charuruks). The Director of the Sabah Museum is a lady too (Joanna Datuk Kitingan)."But then, trust me, gentlemen, a very challenging task for you as men is that you need to work harder and much better because the ladies always work hard," he quipped.Masidi later witnessed the handing-over of a mock cheque for RM25,000 by Organising Chairperson Datuk Aminah Ambrose to Swepa Barefoot Solar Project Organising Chairperson Datuk Adeline Leong in the presence of newly-installed President Albina, Founder President Datuk Nancy Ho, Immediate Past President Datin Jeanette Tambakau and Past Presidents Sue Yong, Fatimah Yassin, Doris Lim and Dolly Jimayol. Aminah said it was part of the proceeds from the sale of dinner tickets, and would be expended on the second Swepa Barefoot Solar Project at Kg Sungai Magandai in Kota Marudu."The sum of RM19,000 raised from the auction of a watch also goes to this project," she added. It is a Mouawad A Roberge Carina watch in stainless steel and stingray brown strap set with 0.80 carats of white diamonds. The auction was conducted by the Managing Director of Bakhache Luxuries, Antoine Bakhache from Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia's first woman solar-power engineer, Tarihing Masanim from Kg Sonsogon Magandai in Kota Marudu, under the auspices of Swepa Barefoot Solar Project, stole the show when she made her debut appearance to be honoured by the associaton before a 1,000 strong audience. She was escorted up the stage by Leong and Jeanette, accompanied by members of the Project Organising Committee.Meanwhile, outgoing President Jeanette expressed her appreciation to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, the State Government and Sabah Women's Advisory Council (MPWS) for their continuous support for Swepa and its ongoing projects."The State Government through MPWS and the Federal Government recognise our efforts in promoting women empowerment among the rural communities at Kg Sonsogon Magandai and Kg Sungai Magandai," she said.Looking back, Jeanette said her Presidential theme To Learn, To Grow and To Lead has been realised through the association's Training Committee with eight Training Modules for the benefit of members and the community at large. "This would not have been possible without strong support from the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Information Technology."Jeanette showcased the achievements of Swepa during her term (2013-2015) via a multimedia presentation produced by her only son, Adam Tambakau, an upcoming film producer.Echoing a similar sentiment, Aminah said the CM has always been a strong supporter of Swepa, among other women's organisations. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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