James poses with guests and NGOs
KOTA KINABALU: A total of 18 Voluntary Organizations that are members of the Sabah Community Services Council (MPMS) received financial assistance amounting to RM1.72 million from the State Government.
The amount was presented by the Sabah Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister (KPMKR), Datuk James bin Ratib.
The financial assistance was delivered as a sign of cooperation between the State Government and NGOs in looking after the welfare and well-being of the needy community in this state.
The State Government’s financial assistance provided through MPMS focuses on the Care and Empowerment of the Disabled program; Healthy and Active Elderly Program; Children’s Safety and Wellbeing Activities; Health Promotion and General Welfare.
James also presented Council Membership Certificates to two Voluntary Organizations, namely the Sabah Autism Association and the Sabah Family Abandonment Prevention Association.
With the addition of these two members, MPMS now has 24 Member Organizations among the clusters: Children, Women and Families; Elderly; People with Disabilities, General Welfare; Community and Humanitarian Services; and Health Promotion.
MPMS is a Government agency under KPMKR that was established for the main purpose of coordinating welfare voluntary activities in the State.
MPMS is a member of a registered Voluntary Organization and is involved in social welfare, community service and humanitarianism.
On Thursday, MPMS held the 2024 Supreme Council Meeting chaired by James himself.
“I am happy to chair the MPMS meeting for the first time and meet with all the representatives from Government Ministries and Departments as well as Welfare Voluntary Organizations.
“We are all united with the same goal, which is to provide social services to meet the needs of the community,” he said.
According to James, MPMS plays an important role in fostering the relationship between the Government and NGOs.
“This partnership is not just a formality; it is the backbone of our efforts to ensure that our social and welfare services are comprehensive and responsive to the current needs of society,” he said.
He added, in today’s rapidly developing world, “we are faced with increasingly complex changes in social needs.
“Issues such as an aging population, mental health challenges and the integration of diverse communities demand more than traditional approaches, which require us to adapt and innovate in the way we work.
“As we face an aging society, we must rethink how we deliver care and support, ensuring our elderly population can age with dignity and access the services they need.
“Similarly, mental health issues, which have become increasingly prominent, require a compassionate and integrated approach that brings together health care, social services and community support,” he said.
Therefore, James who is also Sugut Assemblyman said, in dealing with this challenge, all parties must work creatively and collaboratively to make better use of available resources to maximize impact.
Through effective partnerships, he said, ideas and resources can be shared, and this allows all parties to develop holistic solutions.
Meanwhile, James said that the government greatly appreciates the unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions made by NGO partners.
“The State Government is committed to strengthening this cooperation. To support and strengthen this partnership, the State Government through the MPMS provides financial assistance for social welfare programs provided by its members.
“This funding is not just financial assistance; it is an investment in our shared mission to improve the well-being of our community,” he said, while adding that the meeting gave a commitment to all to work together and utilize collective strength to build a stronger and more inclusive society.
“Let us commit to the vision of this partnership which is cooperation, inclusiveness and creative problem solving. Together, we can ensure that our society is prosperous and prosperous,” he explained.
Also present at the meeting were KPMKR Assistant Minister, Datuk Flovia Ng, KPMKR Secretary, Maria Chong, Sabah General Welfare Services Director and MPMS Management Committee Chairman, Jais bin Asri and others.
