KUCHING: The Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM) has unveiled new plans to improve advocacy and family programmes in rural areas across Malaysia. This initiative, aimed at bridging the gap between urban and rural communities, will focus on providing greater support and resources for families living in rural regions.
According to KPWKM Minister, Dato Sri Nancy Shukri, rural areas are still facing significant challenges in terms of access to information, government initiatives, and available services. These areas have been left behind when compared to urban areas in terms of development and support structures.
“Apart from advocacy, we will increase the organisation of several programmes to support families in rural areas,” said Dato Sri Nancy. “I feel that these areas need more attention to help parents and families cope with modern challenges, and to educate them about the various services we can offer.”
She made these statements during the KPWKM Ramah Mesra Ceremony held at Wisma SABATI, Kuching, on Saturday, where several key leaders from both the state and federal levels were present. The ceremony saw over 5,000 attendees from the target communities, showcasing the event’s success in bringing together a diverse group of people.
Dato Sri Nancy, who is also the Member of Parliament for Santubong, emphasised that this initiative will involve multiple ministries and related agencies. The goal is to ensure that rural communities are effectively reached and engaged, with the assistance of modern tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and social media. The involvement of these technologies will help spread vital information and improve accessibility to government services.
Notable figures at the ceremony included Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Ja’afar, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, along with other senior leaders.
This initiative is expected to bring lasting positive change to rural families, helping them navigate the challenges of the modern world while ensuring they are not left behind in the country’s development. — UKAS EDITION
