KUCHING: Women leaders have been encouraged to bring in more young and educated women into local politics.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the state fully acknowledged the contribution of women in Sarawak’s politics since the formation of Malaysia.

“I welcome any young woman in Sarawak who has the interest to get into politics.

“There are many more issues to come and these issues will need us, men and women, to think about them together for the betterment of our people, state and the country,” he said at the launch of the state-level Women’s Day celebration here yesterday.

Taib said Sarawak women have been and should continue to be good partners of men in politics.

He noted that the empowerment of women, their full and equal participation in political, social and economic life, the improvement of health and the eradication of poverty were essential to achieving sustainable human settlements in the future.

The Chief Minister also urged women to be prepared for the era of industrialisation in Sarawak.

He said the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy would provide ample job opportunities not just for professionals but also skilled and semi-skilled workers.

“As our current and future development will be based on industrialisation, women also should attain technical education in order not to be left out.

“Aside from civil engineering, women could venture into mechanical engineering,” he said.

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