Childcare centres: Sabah wants more funds from KL

KOTA KINABALU: More funds will be sought from the Federal Government to provide for more childcare centres in the public sector in Sabah, under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad said her ministry will seek the funding to encourage more women with small children to work and contribute to the State and nation's development.

"There are about five to six such centres in the State in particular, here, so far, like at Sabah's Urban Transformation Centre (UTC), one childcare centre which my ministry has provided in Wisma Muis, one at the Federal Administrative Complex along Jalan Sulaman and another one at Yayasan Sabah.

"These are not enough to cater to the high number of working mothers in the public sector.

That is why my ministry will apply for funds to build more childcare centres in Sabah so that the working mothers can work in peace and with no worries," she said.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

Jainab said this to reporters after officiating at the closing of a one-day Women of Substance Conference at Wisma Wanita, here, Tuesday. The event that was jointly organised by Sabah Women Affairs Department (Jhewa) and MPWS was in line with the government aspiration to continue empowering women in the national agenda of development.

Also present were Sabah Women's Advisory Council (MPWS) Chairman Datuk Mariati Robert, the ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Asnimar Sukardi, MPWS Education Committee Chairman Maimunah Suhaibul, Jhewa Director Fatimah Jaafar, former Deputy State Secretary Datuk Noni J. Said and other officials.

Having such centres in government departments and agencies would enable women to focus their mind on working and increase their work productivity.

"Although there are about 60 to 70 per cent of women in the country pursuing tertiary education or have completed their studies, many would come and go in the workforce.

"This is because those who are married and have small children like below four-years-old would quit their jobs so that they could focus on raising their children at their homes.

"Furthermore, it is not easy to look for maids nowadays and also foreign maids are costly especially in paying for their levies and work passes," she said.

Jainab said some mothers would stop working as some maids could not be trusted due to reported police cases where the maids would hurt and physically abuse the children and even kidnap them.

Availability of such centres would also save them time, energy and money in terms of having to otherwise pick their children at similar centres outside their offices.

According to her, the ministry will also build a childcare centre and a kindergarten at Wisma Wanita.

As for the private sector, Jainab also called on employers especially giant companies to provide such centres for their women employees who have small children.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

To a question, she said the current percentage of women at decision-making level in Sabah is only at 18 per cent, which is way off the target of achieving 30 per cent.

However, she is optimistic that through time and government measures this can be achieved.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00