KUCHING: Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari today (Oct 21) gave an assurance that no one will be left behind in the state government's efforts to address urbanisation issues.

He said the state Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Ministry has drawn up plans and initiatives to addressing these issues.

"We should be people-centred and cities should take concrete steps to embody elements of a lovable city, helping their residents feel more connected, happier and more resilient citizens," he said in his speech read by state Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah at the opening of the inaugural Sarawak Urban Forum (SUF) here.

He said the ministry would target children, women, the elderly, people with disabilities, families and communities in its programmes.

"We emphasise an approach to optimise access to resources and ensure the implementation of more targeted programes and activities and this is translated through strategic measures that provide a significant impact.," he said.

The premier also said cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders, government agencies and the private sector were important to achieve sustainable development by focusing on industry, innovation and infrastructure development.

He also urged the people to support and trust the government to make the state more liveable and its people more caring.

In her own speech, Fatimah said various state ministries had to be reformed to serve the elderly and special needs individuals better.

She said if necessary, new laws and ordinances needed to be looked into for better delivery of services to these groups.

"To address the various challenges, we need a comprehensive multi-lateral approaches, including legal reforms and improvements in urban planning and service delivery," she said.

She said that for example, the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Ministry has a crucial role to play in ensuring that communities meet the needs of the elderly and special needs persons.

"This could involve creating various barrier-free environments and allowing elder persons to independently access to public buildings, spaces and services," she said.

She stressed that the concept of universal designs, that is, the environment

usable by all people, regardless of age or ability, should be central to the state government's efforts.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/1123184/no-one-will-be-left-behind-sarawak-becomes-urbanised