Kota Kinabalu (Dec 17) - Inanam assemblywoman Edna Jessica Majimbun has called for a stronger welfare system to better support women who are increasingly burdened by the rising cost of living, particularly single mothers and elderly women.
She said many women are forced to cut back on personal spending, delay medical treatment and set aside their own needs to ensure their families continue to cope.
“These sacrifices are rarely reflected in official statistics, even though they have a significant impact on family wellbeing,” she said during the Sabah State Budget 2026 debate on Monday.
Edna cited figures from the Department of Statistics Malaysia showing that the national inflation rate stood at 1.3 per cent in October 2025, while housing, utilities and fuel costs rose by about 1.1 per cent.
She noted that increases in the prices of essential goods, housing and transportation continue to place sustained pressure on women, especially those from lower-income groups.
According to her, eligible single mothers often face obstacles in accessing assistance due to complicated application procedures and user-unfriendly digital systems, while elderly women are frequently left out because of limited access to information.
She added that low-income working women are also struggling with the combined costs of rent, transport and childcare, yet many do not qualify for existing aid schemes.
Edna further highlighted housing issues, road conditions and internet accessibility as factors that drive up living costs while affecting women’s safety and economic opportunities.
She stressed that allocations under the State Budget must be distributed fairly and based on the actual needs of the people, regardless of political differences.
“The effectiveness of a budget should not be measured by the size of its allocation, but by its real impact on the daily lives of the people,” she said.