James (2nd from right) presenting MPMS assistance to one of the NGO Presidents.
Kota Kinabalu: A total of 18 voluntary organisations that are members of the Sabah Community Services Council (MPMS) received RM1.72 million financial assistance from the State Government.
It was presented by the State Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister (KPMKR) Datuk James bin Ratib.
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The assistance was delivered as a sign of cooperation between the State Government and NGOs in looking after the welfare and well-being of the needy community in the state.
The State Government’s assistance provided through MPMS focuses on programmes such as the Care and Empowerment of the Disabled, Healthy and Active Elderly, Children’s Safety and Wellbeing Activities as well as Health Promotion and General Welfare.
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James also presented Council Membership Certificates to two voluntary organisations, namely the Sabah Autism Association and the Sabah Family Abandonment Prevention Association.
With the addition of these two members, MPMS now has 24 member organisations among the clusters: Children, Women and Families; Elderly; People with Disabilities, General Welfare; Community and Humanitarian Services; and Health Promotion.
MPMS is a government agency under KPMKR that was established for coordinating welfare voluntary activities in the state.
MPMS is a member of a registered voluntary organisation involved in social welfare, community service and humanitarianism.
MPMS held the 2024 Supreme Council Meeting on Thursday chaired by James himself.
“I am happy to chair the MPMS meeting for the first time and meet with all the representatives from Government Ministries and Departments as well as welfare voluntary organisations.
“We are all united with the same goal of providing social services to meet the needs of the community,” he said.
According to James, MPMS plays an important role in fostering the relationship between the Government and NGOs.
“This partnership is not just a formality. It is the backbone of our efforts to ensure that our social and welfare services are comprehensive and responsive to the current needs of society,” he said.
In today’s rapidly developing world, he added: “We are faced with increasingly complex changes in social needs.”
“Issues such as an aging population, mental health challenges and the integration of diverse communities demand more than traditional approaches, which require us to adapt and innovate in the way we work.
“As we face an aging society, we must rethink how we deliver care and support, ensuring our elderly population can age with dignity and access the services they need.
“Similarly, mental health issues, which have become increasingly prominent, require a compassionate and integrated approach that brings together health care, social services and community support,” he said.
James, who is also Sugut Assemblyman, said in dealing with this challenge, all parties must work together creatively to make better use of available resources for maximum impact.
Through effective partnerships, he said, ideas and resources could be shared, and this allows all parties to develop holistic solutions.
James said the Government appreciates the unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions made by NGO partners.
“The State Government is committed to strengthening this cooperation and partnership through the MPMS in providing financial assistance for social welfare programmes.
“This funding is not just financial assistance. It is an investment in our shared mission to improve the well-being of our community,” he said, adding that the meeting gave a commitment to all to work together and utilise collective strength to build a stronger and more inclusive society.
“Let us commit to the vision of this partnership which is cooperation, inclusiveness and creative problem solving. Together, we can ensure that our society is prosperous and prosperous,” he said.
Among present at the meeting were KPMKR Assistant Minister Datuk Flovia Ng, KPMKR Permanent Secretary Maria Chong, Sabah General Welfare Services Director and MPMS Management Committee Chairman Jais bin Asri.
