KOTA KINABALU (Mon): Sabah Assistant Minister for Law and Native Affairs, YB Jannie Lasimbang made a visit to the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) on Monday 14th January 2019. She had a discussion with IDS research committee led by IDS CEO Datuk Dr Johan Arriffin Samad. YB Jannie expressed her interest in IDS research expertise in assisting the Ministry in native issues, policies and law.
YB Jannie said that the ministry aims to create a resilient community that encompasses all aspects of cultural and religious practices, whilst tackling issues and problems such as child marriages, environment and the lack of women representation within native communities. She said that native policies and laws are in the progress of being structured to be more inclusive for everyone in the community, including women, children and senior citizens. Gender and literacy are some of the areas that YB Jannie are focusing on to empower more women to take up leadership roles within the native communities.
Datuk Dr Johan welcomed YB Jannie Lasimbang’s interests in the institute, stating that future collaboration between IDS and the Ministry for Law and Native Affairs could benefit the state of Sabah in developing a wholistic modern state that embraces its cultural and native practices. IDS is currently looking into issues relating to poverty which could be beneficial for both parties in developing rural communities through tourism and entrepreneurship. By focusing on each community’s strength, IDS and the Ministry could work together in assisting the communities build a sustainable livelihood and eventually elevating poverty within the state.
During the meeting, YB Jannie was briefed on IDS’ current research projects by Datuk Dr. Johan. He said both parties are going to have more discussions on issues regarding the development of Sabah. “Research institutes move forward through sharing of ideas and knowledge from various mediums”, said Datuk Dr Johan.
Also present at the meeting were IDS research committee Mr. Chong Vun Then, Mdm. Jenny Liaw, Mr. Richard Koh, Hajah Baiyah Ag. Maimon, Hjh Hasnah Samsudin and Anita Limjoon.
Picture Caption: YB Jannie Lasimbang (4th from right) held a meeting with Datuk Dr. Johan Arriffin Samad (4th from left). Also in the picture are (from left): Anita Limjoon, Hajah Hasnah Samsudin, Hajah Baiyah Ag Mahmon, Mdm Jenny Liaw, Mr. Chong Vun Then and Mr Richard Koh
