The rise in social ills in some rural areas is a growing phenomenon and is causing a major concern. Among the problems that have been detected are substance abuse such as underage drinking and glue sniffing, teen pregnancies, thefts, prostitution and gambling.
These problems are attributed to factors such as breakdown in the family institution, poor parenting, lack of recreational facilities, and the lack of guidance for the youth and, the negative influence of foreign cultures. Although many social programmes and activities have been organized to counter these vices, the social problems not only remain but have become, increasingly challenging.
As an effort to assist the relevant authorities to examine the above issues and to work towards finding the appropriate solutions. Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Germany is organizing a forum called Randau Agenda Sosial in Betong this 30 July.
AZAM’s key local partners in this programme are the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation Sarawak and the Betong Resident’s Office.
About 70 participants are to attend the one-day Randau event comprising officers from the relevant government agencies, representatives of non-governmental organizations, Parent-Teacher Associations, school authorities and members of the media,
The specific objectives of the programme are to;-
- acquire feedback from the relevant agencies and local communities on local social issues and to identify the causes and effects of the social ills in several identified districts/subdistricts in Betong Division;
- contribute input to a proposed study and action plans on curbing social ills in Betong Division;
- enhance coordination and synergy among the various stakeholders in efforts to curb and eradicate social ills.
Two papers will be presented and these are-, Sarawak State Social Agenda by the Social Development and Urbanisation Council (MPSU) and The Trends and Current Scenarios of Social Development in Betong by the Betong Resident’s Office.There will also be a panel discussion on Managing the Challenges in Social Development in Betong Division.
The panelists are to comprise the Police, local school heads, PTA, Jabatan Agama Islam Sarawak (JAIS), National Anti Drugs Agency (AADK) Sarawak and the Single Mothers Association (PITSA) Cik Aishah Edris the Executive Secretary of Social Development and Urbanisation Council who is also the Deputy Chairman of AZAM’s Social and CommunityDevelopment Committee will chair the session. A mini exhibition will also be held at the same venue, Dewan Panglima Rentap in Betong.
This Randau event is one of the activities by AZAM in partnership with KAS this year and it is in support of the Sarawak State Social Agenda programme. It is hoped that this programme could eventually be extended or duplicated by other stakeholders in the other Division in Sarawak.
