(Kuching, 24th) The Diversity, Equity, Equality, and Inclusion (D2EI) initiative implemented in Sarawak continues to yield positive outcomes, with more and more women being appointed to strategic positions within the state civil service system.
Minister of Women, Children and Community Welfare, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, stated that Dan Felicia's promotion to Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Administration) effective January 1, 2026, is a significant testament to the state government's commitment to the principles of D2EI.
Speaking at a Ministry of Women, Children and Community Welfare (KPWKK) appreciation dinner held last night at a hotel in Kuching, she said, "She has been promoted from former Permanent Secretary of Women, Children and Community Welfare to one of the top three positions in the Sarawak civil service system. This is a gesture of high-level recognition and affirmation for women."
Fatimah noted that the D2EI unit, established in 2025 under the Sarawak Women and Family Department (JWKS), has also garnered attention and support from the public in other states.
"During this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, we will also showcase some achievements reached through this initiative."
She believes Felicia's promotion will help ensure the needs of the group served by the department continue to receive attention at the highest administrative level of the state government, in order to further enhance the social welfare of the people of Sarawak.
Commending Retired and Transferred Officers
On the same occasion, Fatimah also expressed her appreciation to former Sarawak Women and Family Department director Salmah Jobeli for her long-term efforts in advancing the women's and family development agenda.
She also thanked other officials who had been transferred, promoted, or completed their tenure for their contributions.
She hopes that the current 11 vacancies in the department and its agencies can be filled as soon as possible to ensure service delivery remains unaffected.
"The Women and Family Department currently has 11 vacancies, and in addition, several positions have been left vacant due to officer transfers and promotions."
Despite facing manpower shortages, she praised staff for being willing to work overtime and take on extra responsibilities to ensure that services to the public continue to operate normally.
"Every achievement in strengthening the social security system, empowering women, enhancing community welfare, and expanding early childhood education opportunities is the result of everyone’s efforts."
"I am deeply grateful to all staff for going beyond their job scope, facing challenges with professionalism, and always putting the interests of target groups first."
Maternity Aid Approval Shortened to Two Weeks
Fatimah also reminded all departmental personnel not to be complacent with current achievements, and to continue improving the quality of public services.
She pointed out that one key achievement was successfully shortening the approval time for the Maternity Aid (Bantuan Ibu Bersalin, BIB).
"Previously, applicants often had to wait up to 3 months for a complete review. Now, the waiting time has been shortened to about two weeks."
"This improvement not only enhances service efficiency, but also ensures that eligible mothers receive aid in a timely manner when they need it most."
She believes this proves optimizing workflows and making good use of technology can bring direct benefits to the people.
Emphasizing Cross-Agency Cooperation to Address Social Issues
Fatimah pointed out that when facing increasingly complex social issues, cross-agency collaboration is one of the key factors.
She said, "In Sarawak, the future development direction is teamwork, advancing work in a holistic and integrated manner. It is through this strategic cooperation that we have successfully increased the community impact of various programs."
She stated that this model has been implemented through multiple committees and platforms, including:
the Action Agency for Handling Drug and Substance Abuse Issues;
the One-Stop Centre Committee for Pregnant Teenagers (OSTPC);
the Sarawak Early Childhood Development Council (MPAKS), among others.
"This cross-agency and holistic cooperation approach enables various social issues to be handled more effectively, thereby improving the welfare of the people of Sarawak."
Speaking at a Ministry of Women, Children and Community Welfare (KPWKK) appreciation dinner held last night at a hotel in Kuching, she said, "She has been promoted from former Permanent Secretary of Women, Children and Community Welfare to one of the top three positions in the Sarawak civil service system. This is a gesture of high-level recognition and affirmation for women."
Fatimah noted that the D2EI unit, established in 2025 under the Sarawak Women and Family Department (JWKS), has also garnered attention and support from the public in other states.
"During this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, we will also showcase some achievements reached through this initiative."
She believes Felicia's promotion will help ensure the needs of the group served by the department continue to receive attention at the highest administrative level of the state government, in order to further enhance the social welfare of the people of Sarawak.
Commending Retired and Transferred Officers
On the same occasion, Fatimah also expressed her appreciation to former Sarawak Women and Family Department director Salmah Jobeli for her long-term efforts in advancing the women's and family development agenda.
She also thanked other officials who had been transferred, promoted, or completed their tenure for their contributions.
She hopes that the current 11 vacancies in the department and its agencies can be filled as soon as possible to ensure service delivery remains unaffected.
"The Women and Family Department currently has 11 vacancies, and in addition, several positions have been left vacant due to officer transfers and promotions."
Despite facing manpower shortages, she praised staff for being willing to work overtime and take on extra responsibilities to ensure that services to the public continue to operate normally.
"Every achievement in strengthening the social security system, empowering women, enhancing community welfare, and expanding early childhood education opportunities is the result of everyone’s efforts."
"I am deeply grateful to all staff for going beyond their job scope, facing challenges with professionalism, and always putting the interests of target groups first."
Maternity Aid Approval Shortened to Two Weeks
Fatimah also reminded all departmental personnel not to be complacent with current achievements, and to continue improving the quality of public services.
She pointed out that one key achievement was successfully shortening the approval time for the Maternity Aid (Bantuan Ibu Bersalin, BIB).
"Previously, applicants often had to wait up to 3 months for a complete review. Now, the waiting time has been shortened to about two weeks."
"This improvement not only enhances service efficiency, but also ensures that eligible mothers receive aid in a timely manner when they need it most."
She believes this proves optimizing workflows and making good use of technology can bring direct benefits to the people.
Emphasizing Cross-Agency Cooperation to Address Social Issues
Fatimah pointed out that when facing increasingly complex social issues, cross-agency collaboration is one of the key factors.
She said, "In Sarawak, the future development direction is teamwork, advancing work in a holistic and integrated manner. It is through this strategic cooperation that we have successfully increased the community impact of various programs."
She stated that this model has been implemented through multiple committees and platforms, including:
the Action Agency for Handling Drug and Substance Abuse Issues;
the One-Stop Centre Committee for Pregnant Teenagers (OSTPC);
the Sarawak Early Childhood Development Council (MPAKS), among others.
"This cross-agency and holistic cooperation approach enables various social issues to be handled more effectively, thereby improving the welfare of the people of Sarawak."
