Kota Kinabalu: The Government is doing its very best to cut down on bureaucracy and the time taken to process various applications from the public.Minister of Community Development & Consumer Affairs, Datuk Hjh Azizah Datuk Mohd Dun hoped that every department and agency will take heed of what the Government has already directed them to do in order to expedite processing of applications for assistance.
"That way, any approval can come very fast, so the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can carry out their programmes or activities before year-end," she said after officiating at the closing of the Seminar on the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code - An Update, Friday.
Azizah, who is Klias Assemblywoman, was asked to comment on "talk" by some women that Federal funds applied for, had to be returned at the end of the year because the cheques had arrived late and they did not have enough time to plan their programmes.
"I wouldn't point fingers but I would encourage the women to plan ahead even though the money is not in hand yet. So when the money comes, they can straightaway implement the programme. Why wait for the money to come first before doing your planning? We should plan first," she said.
Azizah, however, felt that the delays could probably be bureaucratic in nature. "We will look into all this. We will try to make sure that this sort of thing will not happen again in the future because we are also very concerned. We don't want a situation where money is given to applicants in Sabah, only to be sent back later because the recipients couldn't utilise the financial resources at the end of the day."
The seminar was organised by the Sabah Women's Advisory Council (MPWS) Legal Committee at Beverly Hotel here.
Earlier, in her address, Azizah said the passing of the 2004 Penal Code (PC) and Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) Amendment Bills in July 2006 and their gazetting in September 2007 was a positive step taken by the Government to address serious crimes such as rape cum murder, and indecent body search.
"The move to update the two codes shows the Government's sensitivity to society's current needs," she said. The Minister stressed that society must be more caring and concerned for the safety of our environment.
"I am not saying we are not living in a safe environment but prevention is better than cure. Parents and guardians must be more alert about the surroundings as crime perpetrators may be lurking in the shadows.
"Protection of children is a collective responsibility of everyone in society," she said.
Azizah said the Malay proverb Jaga Tepi Kain Orang (Minding other people's affairs) is no longer acceptable in this day and age.
"We have to know what is happening to our neighbour's kids, for example, so that they don't become victims of violence. If we witness a crime but don't bother about it, we are only condoning it and letting it happen again in future."
She said society will never forget the names and faces of children who were raped and murdered, grievously hurt or kidnapped on their way to school or while at the playground. Among them were Sabah's very own Haserawati Saridi, Nurul Huda Ghani, Nor Shawani Dahlan, Nurin Jazlin Jazimin and Preehena Varshiny.
Azizah was impressed with the presence of men at the seminar, saying it marked the beginning of a change of mindset.
"It's a good sign, given the collective responsibility of men and women in protecting society, especially vulnerable groups like women and children.
Previously, when I organised similar seminars on women's rights, fathers were hardly visible."
She also urged the MPWS Legal Committee to continue holding such seminar to reach out to more target groups.
"I am glad that they will also be visiting districts on the East Coast. We want to have informed grassroots leaders."
Earlier, MPWS Chairperson Datin Asnimar Hj Sukardi said the aim of the seminar was to enlighten the community on the latest amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.
According to her, the Council had also contributed to the reforms in the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). It is among the 67 organisations in the country that had provided feedback to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Amendments to the two codes. The committee was set up in July 2004. MPWS leadership appeared before the committee when it visited Sabah in October 2004.
"We are happy that the Government had taken into consideration proposals from women's groups and social activists. The amendments were gazetted in September last year," said Asnimar who is Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Community Development & Consumer Affairs.
Among those who attended were village chiefs, native chief representatives (WKAN), teachers, NGO leaders and members, and students from institutions of higher learning.
The key speakers were MPWS Legal Committee Chairperson cum Organising Chairperson Hjh Mariati Robert and President of the Sabah Muslim Women Lawyers Association (Salwa).
MPWS Legal Committee Deputy Chairperson Ruth Priscilla Marcus, who chaired the question & answer session, said the push for reforms to rape laws dates back to the year 1985.
