By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 2: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed in principle to the establishment of the Sarawak Women Leadership Chair (SWLC), a RM5 million initiative aimed at institutionalising women’s voices in policy, governance and community development.
He was responding to a request made by Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah during the Sarawak Women’s Day 2025 celebration at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Complex this morning.
“We agree in principle, and we have the details,” Abang Johari said in his speech.
Earlier, Fatimah shared that the SWLC, which was first endorsed by the Premier during the 2023 Women’s Day celebration, will be anchored at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus.
She said her team is currently fine-tuning the structure, defining the leadership programme framework, and reviewing the financial implications involved.
“SWLC requires RM5 million over a period of five years to operate effectively and to move in alignment with its intended purpose,” she added.
At the same time, Abang Johari also confirmed that Sarawak through Sarawak Women and Family Department (JWKS) will proceed with the development of a dedicated Women Entrepreneur Dashboard Model, aimed at empowering women-owned businesses through real-time data and improved visibility.
The system, tailored to Sarawak’s digital ecosystem under the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED), is expected to help policymakers make informed decisions while improving access to markets and resources for women entrepreneurs.
In addition, Abang Johari announced that the Sarawak government, through Yayasan Sarawak, will fund RM105,000 to support three Sarawakian women in pursuing a Master of Arts in Leadership Development at the Asian Women Leadership University College (AWLUC).
“Regarding the Master of Arts programme, that’s approved. The Second Minister for Finance (Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas) has also agreed to it.
“The total funding will be channelled through Yayasan Sarawak,” he said.
Abang Johari also expressed strong support for the Sedidik Young Saver Programme ‘Saving for Golden Future’, calling it a meaningful step in teaching basic financial principles to Sarawakian children from a young age.
“This is a very important and significant educational approach for our young to learn basic economics, because saving is important,” he said.
Launched on May 1, 2023, the programme has seen 2,588 savings kits distributed across 106 SeDidik preschools. To date, it has accumulated RM1,042,629.42 in savings.
“Just like the Sarawak government, we do not spend lavishly. When you have income, consumption, investment and saving are the three fundamental factors we must comply with to manage our funds,” he emphasised. – DayakDaily
