GRS candidate Samsiah Usman vows to boost women’s economic opportunities through skills training and entrepreneurship in Kukusan constituency
TAWAU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah candidate Samsiah Usman has pledged to champion women’s empowerment if elected in the Kukusan state seat election.
The Harapan Rakyat party member promised initiatives creating economic opportunities and skills training particularly for homemakers.
“We want to give homemakers the chance to engage in small-scale entrepreneurship,” she told Bernama.
Samsiah said women could run businesses while caring for their children at home to supplement household income.
She emphasised strengthening the women’s economy through improved skills in sewing, cooking and handicrafts.
Welfare initiatives for single mothers will also be prioritised under her leadership.
The candidate highlighted her party’s commitment to ongoing development programmes beyond election campaigns.
She cited the Sabah Maju Jaya housing scheme as one of many initiatives already implemented.
Samsiah also noted the gazetting of several villages including Kampung Sri Menanti and Kampung Airport Lama.
Residents have benefited from upgraded community halls, village roads and drainage systems.
Her development agenda includes opening new industries to create local jobs for youth.
This aims to reduce youth migration to Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu for employment.
Resident Aminah Palawe hopes the winning candidate will focus on infrastructure repairs.
The 53-year-old homemaker also wants support for women’s skills and entrepreneurship programmes.
Young resident Sahila Mohiibe called for more job opportunities in Kukusan.
The 28-year-old emphasised ensuring uninterrupted clean water supply as essential.
Samsiah faces a 10-cornered contest including incumbent Rina Jainal running as independent.
The Kukusan constituency has 19,225 registered voters under the Kalabakan parliamentary seat.
Early voting is scheduled for November 25 with polling on November 29. – Bernama
