Sarawak to be first state with diversity unit
PETALING JAYA : Sarawak will be the first state in the country to set up a diversity, equality and inclusivity unit, premier Abang Johari Openg revealed.
The unit, known as D2EI for diversity, equality, equity and inclusivity, will be set up in the state department of women and family development, The Borneo Post reported.
Abang Johari said the D2EI principles are in line with his administration's post-Covid-19 development strategy, which emphasises inclusivity.
He also believes that these values could help raise household income and reduce poverty across the state over time.
For now, Abang Johari said the state government hopes to boost the involvement of women in high-growth sectors, by providing support in the form of economic grants, digital entrepreneurship training and startup assistance.
'We have asked the banks to assist us in investment-related efforts, including lifelong learning opportunities. This will certainly empower women more comprehensively in line with the D2EI values,' he was quoted as saying.
This is not the first time Sarawak has introduced progressive policies. In 2023, it became the first state in Malaysia to have an ombudsman law.
DEI policies, whose origins date back to the US civil rights movement, made headlines after US president Donald Trump issued an executive order after taking office in January directing government agency chiefs to dismantle DEI policies at federal agencies, federal contractors and in the private sector.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Changes to 13MP weren't out of nowhere, says ministry
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre) and other Cabinet members holding up the 13th Malaysia Plan document outside the Dewan Rakyat last week. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The changes made to the 13th Malaysia Plan following Rafizi Ramli's resignation as economy minister were not sudden, according to the government. The economy ministry said the amendments were instead part of its measures to ensure the 13MP was aligned with the Madani economy's aspirations. 'The changes and amendments made to the 13MP draft were not sudden in nature or outside of our planning. 'The preparation of the 13MP, meant for the next five years, was executed based on necessity following holistic negotiation processes involving all stakeholders,' it said in a written parliamentary reply. The ministry said 'overhauls and revisions' were made throughout the document's preparation to ensure every view and proposal received was taken into account while staying true to the government's main policies. It was replying to Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran), who had asked what drastic policy changes necessitated the 13MP being amended at the last minute. Kiandee, a Bersatu vice-president, was referring to the announcement on June 27 that finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan was given the duties of the economy portfolio and tasked with amending and overhauling the 13MP. Amir had said he received 'a lot of feedback' from other ministers which necessitated an overhaul of the 13MP. Rafizi questioned why the 13MP needed to be revamped. However, he later said he was happy that nearly all the major policy reforms he had included were retained in the tabled version of the document.
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
PKR leader's claims linked to internal auditing, police probe finds
Wangsa Maju PKR division chief Lai Chen Heng said a video clip had been selectively edited and circulated to smear his image. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A police investigation into claims by a PKR leader on unaudited contributions to a division found that the issue revolved around internal auditing, the home minister said. Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said it was also related to issues with the administration of the party. He said this in a written parliamentary reply to Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who wanted an update on an investigation into a viral video clip featuring a man believed to be the Wangsa Maju PKR division chief. In May, a video, which surfaced on several social media platforms, appears to show Wangsa Maju division chief Lai Chen Heng commenting on financial contributions to the division from a prominent businessman. He allegedly referred to them as 'unaudited funds' associated with a senior political leader. But Lai maintained that the clip had been selectively edited and circulated to smear his image. In April, he had denied claims that the division's 2024 financial statements had been manipulated. He said such claims were baseless and politically motivated, adding that the financial report presented during the division's annual general meeting on March 1 did not receive any objections.
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Moscow ready to welcome arrival of Sultan Ibrahim for state visit
MOSCOW: Moscow is ready to welcome the arrival of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia who will begin his maiden state visit to Russia starting Tuesday (Aug 5) until August 10. Malaysian Ambassador to Russia Datuk Cheong Loon Lai said Sultan Ibrahim expressed hope that the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (Aug 6) could open a new chapter in Malaysia-Russia bilateral relations. "His Majesty also expressed hope that the two leaders can hold productive discussions, especially on matters of mutual interest," he told Bernama here. Cheong said Sultan Ibrahim also admired the historical and technological values in Russia, and had even established many interactions with the country in the fields of trade and investment since His Majesty's reign as the Sultan of Johor. "His Majesty also shares the same interests as President Putin, such as horse riding," he said. This visit at the invitation of President Putin is considered historic and meaningful because it is the first state visit by a Malaysian Head of State to Russia since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1967. Two locations for the visit in Moscow, namely the Russian Automotive Technology Development Center (Nami) and the Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Center, are also ready to welcome Sultan Ibrahim's arrival. "His Majesty will visit Nami to inspect and explore Russian automotive technology, particularly in the field of research and development. "This visit provides an opportunity for His Majesty to see first-hand the advancement of Russian technology given His Majesty's deep interest in the automotive industry," said Cheong. The visit to Tochka Kipeniya, he said, also provides an opportunity for Malaysia to explore innovative Russian solutions in the field of drone and robotics development through artificial intelligence (AI) applications for public use, security, defence, environment, space projects and biodrones. Earlier, Cheong attended a briefing session on the national celebration event at the Kremlin, the location of Sultan Ibrahim's official meeting with President Putin. Also present at the session were the Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Datuk Yubazlan Yusof, Chief of Government Ceremonies, Prime Minister's Department Datuk Rozainor Ramli and the Grand Chamberlain of Istana Negara Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini. Sultan Ibrahim departed from the Royal Malaysian Air Force Air Base in Subang at 8.55am (Malaysian time) and is scheduled to arrive here on Tuesday. After Moscow, His Majesty is scheduled to travel to Kazan from August 8 to 10. Sultan Ibrahim ascended the throne as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 31 2024.- Bernama
