Kota Kinabalu: Women today are not just supporters — they are recognised as key agents of change in realising the ambitious vision of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan.
“As we approach the 17th Sabah State Election (PRU17), my hope is that women in Sabah will continue to be seen as key partners in shaping the state’s future,” said Kapayan Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Women’s Vice Chief, Rizawati Fiona Heng.
Under the SMJ Plan, she said there have already been strong commitments, with millions of ringgit allocated through the Department of Women’s Affairs Sabah (JHEWA), Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM), and the Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS) to support entrepreneurship, training, and leadership programmes.
“These efforts give single mothers, rural women, and B40 communities real opportunities to grow.
“But the journey doesn’t stop here. My hope is that PRU17 will further strengthen these initiatives, ensuring that more women step into leadership roles, that their voices are heard in policymaking, and that they are fully recognised as agents of change.
“When women are empowered, families and communities thrive — and Sabah as a whole will move forward,” said Rizawati.
She said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government, headed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, has shown strong and consistent commitment to empowering women in Sabah through various initiatives and allocations under the SMJ Plan.
“These efforts not only enable women to elevate their standard of living but also strengthen their role in shaping policy, leading communities, and driving the state’s development,” she added.
Rizawati said the SMJ Development Plan introduced by Hajiji is not only focused on driving the state’s economic growth but also places women’s empowerment as a key pillar of inclusive development.
Women, who make up nearly half of Sabah’s population, are recognised as a strategic asset capable of contributing to the state’s progress through economic, social, and leadership roles, she said.
This commitment is reflected in the significant allocations provided under the State Budget, including RM9.73 million to JHEWA for women’s development programmes and RM11.6 million to YUM to support women entrepreneurs and provide access to micro-loans.
Other allocations include RM4.2 million (2023) specifically for women’s entrepreneurship programmes, including support for single mothers and B40 groups; RM6.36 million (2024) to JHEWA and RM700,000 to MPWS; RM554,540 (2021–2023) for the Creating Millionaires Among Young Women (CreaM@YWE) Project; and RM3.43 million (2022–2024) for the Sabah Women Leadership Academy.
“These allocations reflect the Chief Minister’s recognition of women as catalysts for national excellence, aligning with the aspirations of a Madani community,” she said.
Rizawati said women in Sabah are given ample opportunities to improve their livelihoods through various entrepreneurship initiatives including skills training, business courses, grants, and micro-loans.
“The focus is on single mothers, rural women, and the B40 group, empowering them to generate sustainable income and break free from poverty,” she said.
This aligns with the SMJ objective of building a resilient state economy through inclusive participation, she added.
Beyond economic growth, women’s leadership is also prioritised, she said.
Through JHEWA and MPWS, the government promotes women’s involvement in politics, administration, and policymaking.
“The target is to ensure that 30 per cent of decision-making roles are filled by qualified women not merely based on quotas, but through merit and capability.
“Leadership training and mentoring programmes further strengthen the pipeline of competent women leaders in Sabah,” she said.
JHEWA serves as the main implementing agency, while MPWS acts as the policy advisory body. Together, they ensure that programmes are effectively aligned with women’s needs.
Collaboration with NGOs, the private sector, and educational institutions further expands the support network, ensuring that women’s empowerment efforts are comprehensive and sustainable, she said.
She added that the SMJ Plan emphasises three key priorities for women’s development: inclusive development — ensuring no woman is left behind; a resilient economy — positioning women as entrepreneurs and economic contributors; and people’s well-being — supporting single mothers, young women, and vulnerable groups.
