Fertility programme proposed under upcoming Budget

KUCHING: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has proposed a fertility programme under the upcoming Budget to address the country’s low population.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said the proposal was among the ministry’s Budget requests, which are still subject to approval.

“We still have a low population and we want to increase it,” she said during a press conference after officiating the PERANTIS PENDAYA 2.0 (2026) programme at the Dayak Chamber Tower here today.

Nancy said Sarawak and Penang were among the areas requiring greater focus to increase the fertility rate.

“Particularly Sarawak and Penang need to be given greater focus because we want to help increase the birth rate,” she said.

She said several fertility programmes were already being implemented, but the Government wanted to give them greater focus next year, particularly among young people.

“We are already doing it, but we want to give greater focus next year to encourage more people, especially young people,” she said.

Nancy said economic concerns would also be taken into account by the Government through other ministries, while her ministry would focus on programmes aimed at encouraging people to have children.

“For us, it is more about programmes that can encourage them to have children,” she said.

Nancy said studies had been conducted on factors affecting fertility rates, but she would share details at a later date.

“There are indeed studies, but I would like to keep this for later,” she said.