Saberkas strengthens welfare role amid Sarawak’s economic growth

KUCHING (March 15): The Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) has continued to grow into one of Malaysia’s strongest youth non-governmental organisations (NGOs), enabling it to expand welfare and community outreach programmes, said Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.

The Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) said Saberkas’ strong financial standing and Sarawak’s stable economic leadership have made it possible for the organisation to organise large-scale programmes.

“This strength is attributed to the strong leadership in Sarawak under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, which has seen revenues reach RM14.2 billion last year and RM13.2 billion this year,” she said when attending the ‘Majlis Sumbangan Ihya Ramadan’ and a break-of-fast here on Friday.

Sharifah Hasidah said the programme also reflected the Saberkas Women’s Bureau’s continued commitment to supporting the community, particularly single mothers and those from the ‘asnaf’ or underprivileged group.

Although the contributions may be modest, she said they are intended to help recipients prepare for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

Meanwhile, Saberkas Women’s Bureau deputy chairperson Warziedea Ahmad said the Ramadan contribution programme is now in its second year.

“This year we selected six Saberkas branches and invited the recipients to join us for iftar, and we hope to continue organising this programme every year,” she said.

The programme benefitted 150 recipients, including from the asnaf group and single mothers from six Saberkas branches – Samariang, Satok, Pantai Damai, Tupong, Batu Kawa and Demak Laut.

Each recipient received essential household items including rice, cooking oil, sugar, biscuits and dishwashing liquid.

The event also highlighted the bureau’s year-round community engagement initiatives, including the ‘Ziarah Kasih’ programme, which involves hospital visits and outreach activities in rural areas.

Sharifah Hasidah added that the bureau will also organise the Sumbangan Prihatin initiative during the upcoming Hari Gawai celebration.

She said the bureau also plans to organise programmes for women and collaborate with the Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) to encourage women to participate in skills and training programmes offered by the institution.