RM7.7 million for Sabah State Library

KOTA KINABALU: As much as RM7.7 million will be spent on identified facility and infrastructure projects for the development of the Sabah State Library throughout the state.

Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Hjh Azizah Dun said each year, the library development under her ministry’s purview will continue to be given priority.

She said this when officiating the state-level Reading Campaign 2013 Launching Ceremony at Suria Sabah shopping mall.

“This year, the construction of the Tambunan branch will begin where the project will cost RM4 million.”
“Other than that, five new buses for the mobile library will be purchased to replace the ones that have permanently broken down for the districts of Keningau and Sandakan as well as Tambunan, Beaufort and Kudat at a total cost of RM1.5 million,” said Azizah.

“We will also construct Rural Libraries in 10 villages which are Kg Kalumpang, Pitas; Kg Lihak-Lihak, Semporna; Kg Rosok, Kota Belud; Pekan Apin-Apin, Keningau; Kg Pagalungan, Nabawan; Kg Kaiduan, Papar; Kg Kokol, Menggatal; Kg Pantai Emas, Kota Belud; Kg Bolotikan, Papar and Kg Klias Kecil, Beaufort,” she added.

The establishment of the Rural Libraries will cost RM2.2 million. The buildings will also replace some of the earlier established Rural Libraries that have become run down.

“We hope that with these new buildings, we will provide a better and more comfortable library service to the people in rural areas,” she said.

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Azizah: Over RM11m financial aid for single mothers

KOTA KINABALU: A total of RM11, 261,065 in aid was distributed to single mothers throughout the state last year said Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun.
She said the assistance was channeled through the Sabah Department of Social Services to help ease their financial burden.
“However, we do not want single mothers to rely on government aid alone. We want them to make an effort to improve their standard of living.
“That is why the government has implemented various measures to help improve their livelihood and these include programmes on self-motivation, skill training courses as well as grants for those who are starting up a business,” she said.
Azizah was speaking when opening the Consumer Program: Budget 2013 and the Implementation of Minimum Wage at Wisma Wanita, here, yesterday.
Also present were the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Asnimar Sukardi, Sabah Women’s Advisory Council chairperson, Datuk Hajah Mariati Robert and director of the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department, Datuk Siti Sapoo Ahok.
Azizah said the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department, Department of Social Welfare Services and the Sabah State Library also operated programmes such as Azam Kerja and Azam Niaga.
A total of 522 participants have taken part in Azam Niaga through the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department with 318 of them already declassified from the hardcore poor category.
“The participants now have their own source of income and do not have to rely on government assistance alone.
“This shows the commitment of the ministry to make sure that women in this state fully benefit from the initiatives introduced by the government,” she said.
Azizah said last year, the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department spent 97.60 per cent or RM585,624 of the RM600,000 allocated for the development of women in the state.
The federal government also allocated RM1.2 billion to the Permata Programme to provide pre-school education.
There are 13 Permata Centres in Sabah that are either operating, completed or under construction.
Three are already operating in Tuaran, Beaufort and Kota Belud. Two have been completed in Papar and Matunggong. Eight are under construction in Ranau, Penampang, Kudat, Kimanis, Kota Kinabalu, Putatan, Sandakan and Batu Sapi.
Families living in the rural areas with a household income of RM1,500 or less a month and urban families with a montly household income of RM2,500 and below can send their children to the Permata Centres for free.

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Emphasis on Sabah state library’s service delivery system — Azizah

PENAMPANG: The Sabah government will emphasise on improving the state’s library service delivery system including in the rural areas.

Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun  said it was important to ensure that no segment of the community would be sidelined in the attainment of knowledge.

“In this regard, the Sabah state library has a integral role to effect a quest for learning among students in the urban as well as rural areas.

“On its part, the ministry will give prominence to efforts by the library to improve its service delivery system at every level so that no community would be left out,” she said at the launch of an exhibition, ‘An Enduring Bond: Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Celebration in Malaysia’, at the Penampang state library here today.

Her speech text was delivered by Assistant Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan.– BERNAMA

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Work on Tanjung Aru library to start next year

 

This is indeed a great news for all of us. 

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Roadshow On Women Director’s Programme launched

16th October, 2012
KOTA KINABALU: The government wants to see at least 30 per cent of women holding decision-making positions in the corporate sector by 2016.
State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun said the goal is achievable with a combination of government, corporations, entrepreneurs, existing providers and individuals coming together.
“That must consolidate and improve the provision of training, development, coaching and mentoring for potential board members,” said Azizah in her speech while officiating the launching of Roadshow On Women Director’s Programme here yesterday.
She also said investors, corporate companies, professional services organizations and search firms should play their role actively in supporting such initiatives.
Furthermore, all company chairmen must set out the percentage of women they aim to have on their boards in 2012 to 2015, as demanded by both the Securities Commission and Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur.

Read More: New Sabah Times

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More than 1,300 street children rescued since 2007, says Azizah

KOTA KINABALU: Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun disclosed that a total of 1,392 street children had been rescued since 2007 to May this year.
However, she said, most of them have been released and only 65 children are still at the Kota Kinabalu Children Protection Home.
“My ministry, through the Sabah Welfare Services Department is not involved with the training for job placement of the street children. The department is only involved in providing services from the welfare aspect of street children, in addition to providing basic education such as 3M learning classes, religious and moral education classes, self-management, exercise and overall development of children,” she said.
Azizah said this when replying to Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Louis Rampas during the question and answer session at the State Legislative Assembly sitting.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan said, so far, a total of 2,350 people have been appointed as Price Monitoring Volunteers or Consumer Squad in the state.
“The target for Consumer Squad throughout Sabah is about 5,000. They will be given training on consumer awareness as well as to have an understanding of the eight consumer rights and responsibilities.
“The function of the Consumer Squad is to act as an observer and report to the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs (Ministry) on the current price trend,” he said, when replying to Gum-Gum Assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Mohd Idris.
Herbert said the team would also report any offences or wrongdoings committed against the Act or regulations under the ministry.
”Consumer Squads do not have the authority to take any action on any offence committed by the dealer but they will be the eyes and ears of the government through the ministry,” Herbert said.

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