KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Community Development and Consumer Affairs is actively pursuing its plans to set up nurseries in government departments and agencies.
Its minister, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, said she has met with Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Hajah Rohani Abdul Karim, and its Deputy Minister, Datuk Hajah Azizah Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Dun, previously to discuss this matter.
Jainab said the ministry has done a working paper with seven proposals, among which was to set up nurseries in government offices.
She said Rohani had presented the working paper to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to seek funds allocation.
She said this in an interview after attending the State Library Service Excellence Award Nite here on Friday.
Jainab said the proposal have yet to receive federal government approval and she has pledged to fight for it with the relevant department.
Jainab also said that the allocation of space and financial allocation were the biggest challenges in setting up a nursery within an office.
“This is because the plan would need millions of ringgit to implement and the cooperation of the government departments to allocate a suitable office space for the nurseries.
Nonetheless, Jainab said, the plan must be executed because it would reduce the burden of families and working mothers, including single mothers.
With the facilities in place, Jainab believed it would enhance the work quality of civil servants as they need not worry about their children.