STATE executive councillor Chong Eng, who recently had her portfolio renamed as Social Development, has assured that all the initiatives for women, family development and gender inclusiveness would still continue following the portfolio’s rebranding.
Chong Eng, who is still in charge of the Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, said the Social Development portfolio would enable her to play a much bigger role and do more for the state.
“This means social development will encompass everything, from women, children to families, men, and society as a whole.
“So when the scope is bigger, more things can be done including more allocation for my portfolio. Thus, more policies too can be formulated and implemented in the future,” Chong Eng told Buletin Mutiara during a brief interview session in Komtar.
The reshuffle of portfolios involving some of the 11 state executive councillors was announced by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on Sept 9 so that they could carry out their initiatives in the most effective manner.
Chong Eng added that through the Social Development portfolio, it would also enable her to address many types of social problems among the community in Penang effectively.
“As an example, I can focus on baby dumping issue, poverty, drug abuse, bullying and many others.
“These all are social problems that come under my Social Development portfolio and they urgently need to be addressed,” she said.
According to Chong Eng, her portfolio also touches on other aspects such as education and the well being of senior citizens.
“In the next decade, there will be more senior citizens in Penang. We thus need to prepare them with better social facilities.
“We must also ensure that the state government has a policy in taking care of them as we are heading towards an ageing society,” she said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan