KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has approved an initial allocation of RM500,000 to the Social Institute of Malaysia (ISM) which is under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).
The Social Institute of Malaysia was set up to promote professional and semi-professional training in the field of training and research as well as social education to all social workers from various levels and groups from within and outside the country including non-governmental organisations.
The Prime Minister said the allocation was to carry out research on development and empowerment of women in the country.
“There are new areas for research and the fact is it’s for women, mothers and their children, I think the routine or general practice or programs in this bureaucrat system may not be able to undertake that special task.
“Precisely for this reason that this ministry seems to suggest that we not necessarily need different divisions but some research officers, working in the academic centre and universities in the country or international organisations to come up with some plans or research affecting women… and we can add (the allocation) later if we find that the research is useful,” he said.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the official launch of the 2023 International Women’s Day celebration, here today.
Apart from ISM, Anwar also announced an allocation of RM1 million for the setting up of Tabung KASIH Rahmah (Rahmah KASIH Fund) under KPWKM, which is aimed at helping women in vulnerable situations.
“The fund is to help women in vulnerable situations such as domestic violence and those neglected by their spouses before they are assisted by the Welfare Department or tithe centres,” he said.
Also present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek as well as Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who is also the Prime Minister’s wife.
Nancy in her speceh said the ministry had appealed for financial support for the Women’s Centre of Excellence but the Prime Minister had suggested to allocate funds for research under the ISM, specifically to start research and see where we can go from there,” said Nancy.
