KUCHING, 22 OCT – Investing in children’s well-being is not just a moral obligation, but it is also an economic necessity, said the Premier of Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said research shows that early investment in education and health provides significant returns, not only to individuals but also to society.
“Social policy plays an important role in addressing these challenges. It is not just a safety net, it is the basis for sustainable development.
“By investing in the social protection system, we can provide support to the most vulnerable, including migrants, slum dwellers and those affected by climate change,” he said when speaking at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Regional Social Policy Conference ) Malaysia here today.
The text of his speech was read by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The two-day Regional Social Policy Conference that begins today will focus on the importance of investing in children’s futures, while the @KitaConnect Forum on November 9 will highlight young leaders fighting for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Abang Johari said in Sarawak, the state government has made great progress in improving its social protection framework with initiatives aimed at ensuring that no child drops out.
He said since 2020, Sarawak has introduced a post-natal allowance (Maternity Allowance) to pregnant women and children, along with an endowment fund to improve the financial well-being of children in the future.
“UNICEF reports that for every dollar invested in early childhood development, there is a return of up to US$12 in economic benefits.
“This is an interesting argument why we need to prioritize our investment in children. The future workforce in our region depends on the decisions we make today,” he added. – Named
