The component of solidarity which falls under the Key Result Areas 5 (KRA5) of social well-being has been entrusted to the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development.
During a press conference on September 6th, its minister YB Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said that her ministry has been entrusted to continue carrying out the programmes and activities under Solidary which was previously under the Youth and Sport Ministry.
Apart from solidarity, there are two more main area of concern which falls under the KRA5 of the societal well-being includes public confidence on their safety and security and reducing reliance on social welfare assistance.
According to YB Datuk Fatimah, among the activities that will be continued by the ministry for solidarity includes ‘Sarawak Celebrate’, ‘Sayang Sarawak Ibu Pertiwiku’ and Rancangan Integrasi Murid Untuk Perpaduan (RIMUP) Sarawak Initiative.
Under the RIMUP Sarawak Initiative, YB Datuk Fatimah said that the programme will focus specifically on students so that they can be instilled on the values of unity from young age as the foundation society for solidarity by learning from one another on the different cultures, traditions and values of the diverse society.
“School plays an important role and it is the place where we can nurture children with the values that can unite the communities of multiple races. We hope that they will learn how to respect one another,” said YB Datuk Fatimah.
For the ‘Sarawak Celebrate’ programme each district will organise the main festivals celebrated in Sarawak which includes Chines New Year, Hari Raya, Gawai Dayak and Christmas, while a formal committee will be set up to carry out the programme under ‘Sayang Sarawak Ibu Pertiwiku’ which will be announced on October 1st.
Under solidary, YB Datuk Fatimah said that among the areas of concern that has been identified includes drifting society, more individualism among the society, trend on virtual relationship, diminishing sense of patriotism, extremism, dysfunctional family institution and dysfunctional societal grassroots leadership.
“Once it is identified, we address the issue through the NKRA5. Now that we have been given the responsibility to take charge in solidarity, we will target various sectors of our society,” she said.