CREATING awareness among Penangites on the importance of Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB) approach will be one of the main focuses of the newly-appointed state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim.
Lim, who oversees the Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs portfolio, said it is important for the people of Penang to ride on this platform.
“My office will organise more programmes and activities to promote the GRPB approach.
“We want everyone to understand the GRPB.
“We want to listen to their ideas and suggestions on how to make Penang a better state.
“Be it from installing street lamps, repainting high-rises, building a basketball court or others. All of these matters to us and we take their requests seriously,” Lim told Buletin Mutiara during an exclusive interview at her office in Komtar recently.
Lim said she would also focus on the efforts to create safe spaces for families, combat domestic violence and provide support for victims through various initiatives under the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC).
“We want to emphasise more on the safe family policy through the ‘First Support Point’ initiative that was first launched back in 2021.
“This is important because when a family is free from any form of domestic violence, it will be happier and eventually can contribute to the state and country.
“As of now, the state has a total of 245 First Support Point officers stationed across 50 locations, including state representatives service centres, District and Land offices, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and houses of worship.
“We will add more locations after this, such as at the surau, mosque, and various state government agencies, so that they can also play their roles.
“Various workshops have been conducted for the officers and volunteers to explain more about the objective of the First Support Point and to enhance their skills in handling cases of domestic violence,” she said.
On another matter, Lim said she would also give priority to the education and welfare of underprivileged children.
“We do not want to see them drop out of school due to poverty.
“So, I will do my best, through the Welfare MMK (State Executive Council), to help them,” she said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat