Tuesday, February 9, 2010

周美芬:瞭解需求與困境‧馬華設單親家庭資料庫


(pic: CFL)
星洲日報‧2010.02.07

在周美芬(右2)、周麗玉(左)見證下,曾華雲(左)從陳志輝手上接領2萬令吉的贊助支票。(圖:星洲日報)

(雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也)馬華婦女組主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬指出,婦女組將設立單親家庭資料庫,透過馬華舉辦的活動,把參與的單親家庭登記在案,以掌握他們的需求與瞭解所面對的問題。

她強調,此項附設在馬華彩繪關懷坊內的單親家庭資料庫,將把相關家庭資料存入檔案庫中,一旦未來有適合的創業、培訓機會,就會知會相關家庭。

周美芬在出席由馬華雪州婦女組主辦的新春關懷計劃之家庭日推介禮時說:“只要掌握資料,就能鑒定出這些單親家庭真正的需求,可以針對個案來處理,知道要提供甚麼援助。”

通過培訓助脫離窮困

周美芬也是婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長。她指出,此項資料庫的設立主要是配合馬華婦女企業發展中心及政府福利政策。

“我們希望在給予單親家庭暫時性金錢援助時,也能通過培訓,協助他們脫離窮困,而這也符合政府在國家關鍵成效領域下想達致的結果。

周美芬:僅10%真正孤兒 民眾申請領養困難

中国报 3/2/2010


(加影3日訊)婦女、家庭和社會發展部副部長拿汀巴杜卡周美芬指出,政府屬下10間孤兒院内只有约10%的儿童為真正孤兒,可讓不育夫婦申請領養。


她說,早前發生嬰兒販賣事件,原因之一為國內擁有10至15%夫婦不育,他們欲申請領養孤兒卻面對種種困難。

“政府屬下的10間孤兒院,只有140名孩子為真正孤兒,其他約90%孩子是來自單親家庭、私生子等情況下進入孤兒院,他們擁有監護人或家長監護故不能領養。”

周美芬今日為雪隆愛心孤兒院主持開幕時,這么指出。 周美芬指出,由于只有少于10%孤兒可以被領養,同時需符合許多條件,以致許多民眾以為申請領養孤兒程序繁雜。

她說,公眾在領養孤兒時,不允許有如在選購“貨物”般挑選小孩,當局只會依據性別、種族及宗教,把孤兒分配到合適家庭。

“当福利部孤儿院接收到到可供领养的孤儿时,会在一個月的时间内进行调查准备报告,报告备妥后,當局將在最快速的时间内舉行會議,以決定把小孩分配给合適的家庭领养。在获得法庭的批准后,在领养的首2年里,福利部官員會定時前往檢查,之后才真正把小孩交由該夫婦領養。”

周美芬说,公眾也可向私人孤兒院申请領養孤兒,或親人不幸去世后申請照顧對方小孩,申請者同時最多只可照顧2名小孩,政府每月將給予每名小孩250令吉的领养补助。

Friday, February 5, 2010

規劃“7大目標、5大計劃”馬華婦女組致力轉型

中国报 http://www.chinapress.com.my/content_new.asp?dt=2010-02-05&sec=mas&art=0205md20.txt


周美芬(左3)贈送馬華婦女組出版的《回應大時代》一書給張映坤,全體大合照;前排左起為蔡鳳玲、王賽芝、周美芬、張映坤、周淑媛、周麗玉;第2排左起何美群、蔡岳洲、黎美君、葉琰明和林明標;右2起為黃招媛和蔡篤明。

(吉隆坡4日訊)馬華婦女組在時代巨變中奮勇前進,規劃為期3年的“7大目標、5大計劃”,全面帶領婦女組轉型重塑形象,以期走出308大選后低潮。

她說,自308年大選后,黨面對很大打擊,士氣低落,1018黨選后延燒至今的紛紛擾擾,讓婦女組在致力轉型過程中,屢遭延宕與挫折。

她說,國陣能否在來屆大選重新執政,目前仍是個未知數,當務之急是婦女組重塑新形象、政策倡導、專業論政,以招攬更多年輕黨員等。

“萬一不小心失去政權,我們是否有一個平台,可以快速重新振作爬起來,也是一項考驗。”

周美芬也是婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長,她于今日帶領馬華婦女組領袖拜訪《中國報》時,這么披露。

在與《中國報》總編輯張映坤、助理總編輯何美群交流時,周美芬也特別介紹馬華婦女組出版,從2008年至今的《回應大時代》一書。

周美芬說,這本書記載2008年至2009年過去原定推行的一些計劃,還有正在進行中,至少為期3年計劃。

她指出,書中列出“7大目標、5大計劃”,有者是長遠計劃,希望獲得媒體配合報導。

在場接待者計有本報助理總編輯林明標、新聞編輯黃招媛和副新聞編輯蔡篤明。

列席馬華婦女組領袖包括:總秘書兼新聞、通訊及文化部副部長王賽芝、總財政周淑媛、中委兼婦女兒童援助局主任周麗玉、中委葉琰明、中委兼婦女組新聞主任蔡鳳玲、中委蔡岳洲、中委黎美君、中委鄧麗君、執行秘書陳蕙玲、執行員符心怡、婦女企業發展中心執行員李沛真、新聞局秘書黃愛玲和法律局成員丘婉文。

周美芬:尋求商家贊助設婦女研究基金

周美芬指出,國會議員一直無法良好表現,是因為欠缺專業研究員輔助,議員本身也因為太忙無暇進行研究工作。

她補充,該組目前雖有智囊團,但附屬在馬華政治策略局下,因此,該組有意尋求商家贊助成立一個婦女研究基金。

她指出,此舉能加強文宣工作,通過有效管道提供正確信息,面對誤解時,也能對外“講事實,擺道理”。

她也希望未來能花多點時間推動婦女企業發展中心,展開技職培訓,協助更多婦女創業。

她說,之前的婦女企業發展中心只限于軟技能,同時也欠缺融資;婦女組未來使命將是聯繫政府單位及金融機構,扮演婦女企業融資橋樑,以延續前兩任婦女組全國主席的使命,該中心未來計劃包括:設立婦女企業發展中心網站,讓女企業家通過互聯網互通訊息、獲取相關資訊、了解國際商界蓬勃發展的最新資訊,也讓企業家有機會參與企業活動發揮所長,及聯繫各政府單位及金融機構,扮演婦女企業融資橋樑。

308後士氣大跌傑出女黨員鮮為人知

針對馬華婦女組力求形象年輕化,近年也栽培一些傑出女青年,卻鮮為人知時,周美芬直指其中一個原因,是308后黨內士氣大跌所致。

她說,其次,年輕黨員面臨事業和婚姻問題,最近有多名女青年成員婚后以家庭為重,無法全力專注于黨務。

她認為,這是女性工作者面對最大挑戰,有些領袖從政理由是“萬中選一”,有者是“無心插柳、柳成蔭”。

至于她本身,則是“陰陽差錯”,在舅母介紹下,擔任馬華婦女組前主席拿督鄧育桓机要秘書,再出任馬華婦女組女青年工作坊主任,剛好對這方面有興趣,就從政至今。

她說,婦女組目前有6名受委中委名額,另保留兩個職位給女青年,但她不隨意委任填補空缺。

詢及有否機會給女青年發揮所長,周氏說,這應交由女青年回答,在場一名中委鄧麗君即回應說,現有中委會和領導層開放,機會蠻多,只是在于時間安排問題。

周美芬說:“像麗君本身是一間公司總執行長,能否直接參與,最重要是看個人意願。”

周美芬補充,女青年佔黨員人數26%,36至45歲有21.17%、35歲以下有18.18%,及45歲以下39.5%。

設31婦女兒童輔導中心

周美芬說,儘管馬華婦女組致力轉型,倡導專業論政,但未有放棄核心任務,目前已在全國成立31間婦女兒童輔導中心。

她指出,她在2006年出任雪州婦女組主席時,已成立16間輔導中心,后升任全國主席后增至18間,再擴展至每州設立輔導中心。

“每州派5至10名成員受訓,成立精英隊,為民眾提供輔導服務。”

7大目標
1)擴大關懷面,展現全方位領導才華,當全民領袖
2)政策倡導,專業問政
3)縱橫融匯,經緯貫連
4)提供友善參政環境,招攬青年,培育青年
5)強化、專業化婦女核心任務
6)走入群眾,融入社區
7)貫徹健康政治文化

5大計劃
1)政策倡導,專業論政
2)成立婦女企業發展中心
3)招攬青年、培育女青年
4)精英登場-發掘黨內精英、設立人才智庫
5)全國設立31間婦女兒童輔導室

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Wanita MCA calls on stern action against Nasir

Mere Apology and Resignation Not a Solution
Press Release from Wanita MCA

Kuala Lumpur 3 February- Wanita MCA National Chairman Chew Mei Fun today on behalf of Wanita MCA sisters strongly condemn the statement made by the special officer to Prime Minister, Datuk Nasir Safar that Malaysian Chinese and Indians are foreigners (“pendatang”) and that Chinese, especially women came to Malaysia to enslave ourselves and for prostitution. Such expression not only has a racist undertone but also sexist in nature.

Chew Mei Fun expressed that Wanita MCA is truly grateful of the Prime Minister’s prompt response that Nasir Safar resigns. However, Nasir Safar’s speech has already hurt the feelings of other ethnic communities.

This remark reflects non-recognition of the contributions by the Chinese and Indian alongside other ethnic communities in nation-building through thick and thin over the years. Such remark has caused unprecedented humiliation to our Chinese sisters. As such, this is an issue beyond reprieve and cannot be resolved by a mere resignation.

She added that it is unbecoming that an aide who has no formal authority has the audacity to request that citizenship of Indians who opposed the policy of maximum 10 subjects for SPM be revoked. Not only is it arrogant, it has severely undermined our Prime Minister’s concerted efforts to promote and realise the “1 Malaysia” concept. Indeed, it is a serious blow to the Prime Minister’s credibility.

Therefore, an apology and resignation will not do justice. We call upon the government to take appropriate legal measures against him, which even includes invoking provisions of incitement laws to prosecute him. This would safeguard the Prime Minister and government’s credibility in fulfilling its pledge to realise the spirit of “1 Malaysia” with resolute determination.

Wanita MCA thinks that it is unconceivable for such a statement to be publicly made by Nasir Safar at a seminar “Rapat 1 Malaysia” organized by the Special Affairs Department which aims at promoting national unity. Not only has he directly contradicted the government’s concerted efforts in promoting the spirit of “1 Malaysia”, possibly he may have also incited hatred and racial sentiments.

Drawing from the recent exposé of racial slurs by some lecturers in conducting Biro Tatanegara courses, we feel that the government should be careful and mindful in the selection of speakers for any events to avoid “ruining” what we have been building thus far. Not only will the people receive wrong messages, they may also develop an indelible negative imprint of the government.

非道歉辞职可解决 - 马华妇女组呼吁更严厉对付纳西尔

马华妇女组文告

(吉隆坡3日讯)马华妇女组全国主席周美芬今日代表马华全国妇女组姐妹严厉谴责首相纳吉的特别助理纳西尔沙发发表我国华印裔是“外来者”(pendatang),华人尤其是华裔妇女到来马来西亚是为了卖身的种族及性别歧视性言论。

周美芬说,马华妇女组对于首相采取立即行动促使纳西尔沙发辞职的举动表示欣慰,然而由于他的言论已严重伤害了其他种族的感受,不但否决了华印裔这么多年来和本国其他种族人民风雨同路共同建国的贡献,也深深的让华裔妇女姐妹遭受到前所未有的屈辱,这不是辞职就可以宽恕的问题。

她说,一位完全没有实权的助理竟然胆敢发表要撤销抨击大马教育文凭(SPM)限考10科政策和讨论淡米尔文的人的公民权言论,不但傲慢跋扈得无以复加,同时也对首相倾注全力以宣扬和落实的“一个大马”理念造成了极度的伤害,是对首相威信的一种严重打击,因此绝对不能以辞职道歉了事,我们呼吁政府采取适当的法律条文检控他,甚至包括以煽动法令对付他!以捍卫首相纳吉政府的威信和宣示政府落实“一个大马”的坚定决心!

马华妇女组认为纳西尔沙发竟然在由大马特别事务局所主办的“一个大马”研讨会上口出如此狂言是不可思议的,因为他不但彻底违背了政府推广“一个大马”理念的原意,还可能激发种族仇恨情绪,与之前揭发的国家干训局部分讲师在课程中发表种族性言论事情对照探讨,我们认为政府在举办任何涉及政府理念与政策的讲座会和研讨会时,对于讲师的筛选必须极度小心,以避免类似“倒米”的事件一再发生,不但让人民接收到错误的讯息,也让人民对政府留下了不可磨灭的坏印象!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Kiwanis Malaysia’s Annual Children Party 2010

SPEECH by YB Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun


(pic: CFL)
First and foremost, allow me to take this opportunity to thank Kiwanis Malaysia for inviting me to officiate the Kiwanis Malaysia’s Annual Children Party 2010. This year is the 12th consecutive year for Kiwanis Malaysia to have this event, and I am delighted to learn that the organiser has bring together more than 550 children as well as care takers from various orphanages, welfare homes, learning disabilities centres etc from Klang Valley, Johore, Perak and Penang to join us today. The smiling faces of children have already made this special occasion an unforgettable one for me. In this respect, your good work and efforts is highly commendable.

Ladies and gentlemen,Disabled children always face grave risks to their education, health and well-being and are at significantly increased risk because of social stigma and ignorance. It undeniably has impeded them to enjoy the normal way of life like other children and access to the same opportunity as others and are being segregated from the mainstream society. Statistics from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) shows that about 98% of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school. To ensure and safeguard the rights of children and people with disability, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability has come into force in May 2008. The Convention has call for enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by children and adults with disabilities, and points for the importance of early intervention as well as inclusion in the education system from an early age.

Numerous studies showed that early childhood care and education are imperative to help children with special needs to be integrated into the society. This is because the early years offer a special opportunity to foster developmental gains in children as 80% of the brain’s capacity develops before the age of three. For example, children with Down syndrome are able to lead normal life like other people if they are given training. As such, early intervention programme including care, stimulation, parental support and access to relevant services enhances the effects of interventions for children with disabilities.

Recognizing the importance of care and support for children with special needs, the Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has established Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Centre to provide services such as diagnosis, rehabilitation, treatment and special education as well as vocational training to prepare the people with disabilities for employment. As of 2009, there are 409 CBR centres throughout the country and benefiting 17,435 PWDs. Besides this, there are 140 health centres in Malaysia that provide rehabilitation services for children with special needs. In Budget 2010, the Government has increased the allowance rate from RM50 to RM150 a month for every disabled child enroled in NGO-organised special schools, effective 1 January 2010. And it is estimated that 4,000 disabled children will be benefitted under this aid.

Ladies and gentlemen,In 2009, the Government has approved the National Child Policy and its Plan of Action as well as National Child Protection Policy and its Plan of Action to ensure the well-being and welfare of the children as well as to shape and develop children into good citizens. The National Child Policy and its Plan of Action have underlined strategies which focusing on survival, protection, development, participation and advocacy, while National Child Protection Policy and its Plan of Action are to ensure children’s protection from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Besides this, child activity centres were established by the Department at the state and district levels as part of the efforts to provide locally-based services, especially for high-risk families and children. As of 2009, there were 139 child activities centres throughout the country. The services included child-related activities, counselling for children and parents, parenting courses as well as childcare services aimed at providing the psychological and motivational support to those affected. The activities, in some ways, contributed to the prevention of many social ills such as child abuse, child neglect, school dropout, truancy and moral decadence. In addition, it has fostered community relations and the caring spirit by serving as a place where the local community interact, exchange ideas and work together towards a common goal that is, the well-being of the child and family.

We all can play a role to help them like the motto of the Kiwanis “Serving the Children of the World”. It is our role to create a world that fit for all the children. Many organizations, like Kiwanis Malaysia are making conscious efforts to help the less fortune and children who have special needs. It is delighted to learn that the Kiwanis Club currently manage and operate 19 dedicated centres for children throughout Malaysia and 7 of these centres are Down syndrome centres. With regard to this, the Department of Social Welfare has allocated RM30,660 to Kiwanis Club at Taman Tun Ismail. Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the organising committee and those involved in today’s event. On that note, I have the pleasure to declare the Kiwanis Children’s Party open. Thank you and may you have a wonderful weekend.

周美芬:濫用殘障人設施‧關愛殘障人意識低

星洲日報 · 2010.01.30

周美芬(后排左2)在推介禮結束后與一群石頭舞團的舞者合照。后排右2起為美門基金會會務總理李瑞發、劉榮發、徐恩杰及謝秀貞。(圖:星洲日報)

(雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也)婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長拿汀巴杜卡周美芬指出,國人缺乏對幫助殘障人士的醒覺及關懷。

她說,國人經常為了方便而濫用為殘障人士而建設的跑道或斜坡,有者甚至把車輛停泊在跑道上。

“這種行為不但沒有公德心,而且也為殘障人士的生活帶來負面影響,因此大馬仍需要不斷教育群眾,提高醒覺。”

她今日(週六,1月30日)為美門殘障關懷基金會與石頭舞團協辦的春暖慈善舞台劇主持推介禮時說,為協助甲洞美門殘障康復中心重建計劃,該部將撥款5000令吉。

她希望能拋磚引玉,鼓勵更多社會人士或組織為殘障人士盡綿力。

春暖石頭舞團製作人劉榮發透露,春暖舞台劇也將所獲得的贊助費用及其中1天的演出所得,捐助美門殘障關懷基金會。

美門殘障康復中心需籌80萬重建

甲洞美門殘障康復中心副主席徐恩傑指出,此中心因歷久失修,顯得破舊及經常都有漏水的情況,因此需籌募80萬令吉以重建2層樓的康復中心。

美門基金會總幹事謝秀貞披露,目前共有15人住在其康復中心,而中心主要收留後天導致殘障的人士,提供輔導及協助的服務。

有意捐助者,可聯絡美門殘障關懷基金會03-78758609/78736579,或瀏覽有關網站http://www.beautifulgate.org.my/。