Women must lead policies and shape Sarawak’s future, says Bawang Assan rep

SIBU (March 28): Women must not only be recipients of policies but also the drivers behind them, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

He highlighted that women are the pillars of families, builders of society, guardians of culture, and leaders of the future.

“Women must not only participate, they must lead. Without women in decision-making, there can be no truly just policies and without women’s leadership, development will remain incomplete,” he said at the closing ceremony of the 34th Annual General Meeting of Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) here today.

Wong urged SIDS to nurture leaders who shape policies and determine Sarawak’s future.

“I look forward to seeing more Dayak women in government, business, and legislative institutions.”

He noted that Dayak women are deeply familiar with real challenges such as rural education gaps, limited healthcare, economic hardship, and youth migration.

He said these are lived realities and not just statistics, and SIDS must be a strong bridge between grassroots voices and decision-makers.

“If we want real change, we must confront a fundamental issue: Does Sarawak have sufficient control over its own resources?” he said.

Wong also raised the issue of Sarawak’s autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), saying greater control over state resources is essential for fair development.

“Without greater autonomy, we cannot achieve fair development — especially for rural women and families.

“With autonomy, we can invest more in women, healthcare, education, and local opportunities,” he said.

He emphasised that the struggle for Sarawak’s rights should not be limited to political leaders but must become a people’s movement.

“Women must be at the forefront and let this assembly mark a new resolve, to lead, to speak, to influence, and to shape the future.

“Let us build a Sarawak where women have power, communities have opportunities and Sarawak has its rightful autonomy,” said Wong.