Rusinah: Dedicated to serving the Community

8 September 2024

By AVV

PENAMPANG: Time management for women politicians who juggle family responsibilities alongside their professional duties presents a unique set of challenges.

The intricate balance between political obligations and personal commitments necessitates not only effective planning but also a strategic approach to delegation and prioritisation.

Rusinah Abuk, 59, the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO)Women Movement Chief for Tenom has been in this field for about 20 years. She shares that for many women in politics, the reliance on robust support systems enable women politicians to allocate their time more effectively, ensuring that neither their professional goals nor familial responsibilities suffer.

She states, establishing clear boundaries is essential in maintaining this balance, where they often face relentless demands on their time, making it imperative to delineate when work ends and family time begins.

Regular discussions about schedules, expectations, and feelings can foster understanding and collaboration, thus minimising conflicts and enhancing support.

“It is also important to recognise that each woman’s experience is unique; what works for one may not work for another. Therefore, seeking mentorship and advice from experienced women politicians can provide invaluable insights and strategies tailored to individual circumstances.

Networking with peers in similar situations can also offer support and encouragement, fostering a sense of community amidst the complexities of their roles,” she opines.

While managing time effectively as a woman politician with family obligations is undoubtedly challenging, she says it is achievable through careful planning. She adds that when she got involved in politics, her two children were four and five years old, respectively.

Upon entering politics, she recognised the pivotal role of women in making financial and economic contributions to their families.

In line with this, she sought out women engaged in small-scale enterprises, including those selling cakes, pre-cooked edibles, and other food items.

Identifying numerous such individuals, she extended invitations to them to become part of her initiative, the "Persatuan Peniaga Dan Usahawan Daerah Tenom" or, in English, the Tenom District Traders and Entrepreneurs Association.

Through this platform, she aims to empower and support these women in their entrepreneurial endeavors, fostering a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to economic growth and empowerment.

“Within this group, I actively promote learning essential business skills and basic accounting principles. I also emphasize the importance of participating in food handling courses to enhance their understanding of proper food handling practices.

"This not only ensures compliance with regulations but also minimizes the risk of facing inquiries from authorities regarding food safety. In any unforeseen incidents, possessing a food handling certificate can serve as a valuable asset in demonstrating adherence to food safety standards.

“We have carried out food handling courses for five people so far with ten more in future. This is essential for them as they are in food business. We have also done a course on making buns and 15 people have participated. Much more can be done in this respect and we are looking forward to doing more in the future," Rusinah said.

She was allocated a generous sum of RM20,000 by the party president, Datuk Ewon Benedick, to support her various initiatives.

This funding is pivotal for the activities she spearheads in the community, particularly those aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs.

“So far, we have successfully conducted food handling courses for five participants, with plans to expand this to an additional ten individuals in the near future. These courses are crucial for those involved in the food business, ensuring they adhere to safety and quality standards,” she explains.

“In addition, we have organised a specialised course on bun-making, which attracted 15 enthusiastic participants. There is still so much more potential in this area, and we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Rosinah is not just a community leader; she is a formidable businesswoman in her own right.

She began her career with a modest tailoring shop that evolved into a thriving wedding boutique, showcasing her creativity and dedication.

Within her boutique, she has established an office that serves as a hub for her multifaceted roles as an entrepreneur, politician and head of an association.

Here, she juggles her responsibilities with passion, aiming to uplift others while advancing her own ventures. Her journey reflects a powerful blend of ambition and service, as she continues to inspire those around her.

One may wonder what drives her to strive for the betterment of herself and the community she serves.

"I am the eldest among nine siblings, and our upbringing was marked by poverty. My father worked as a rubber tapper, and from the age of seven, I accompanied him in tapping rubber as early as 4 am before heading to school.

It was a challenging and somber period in my life. By the time I reached Form Three, my parents faced financial constraints as they had to support my younger siblings' education as well.

However, our circumstances improved when my father secured a job at the Lagud Seberang Agricultural Park. With my mother also employed there, my responsibilities shifted to caring for my younger siblings. This change brought me happiness, as I was relieved from assisting my father in rubber tapping."

“Nowadays, whenever I encounter someone in a similar situation, I feel compelled to lend a hand. I make it a point to visit villages to seek out budding entrepreneurs who may need support.

"My goal is to offer encouragement and share practical advice, helping them navigate the challenges of starting and growing their businesses. Most of the time, they express their gratitude for the guidance, which motivates me even further.

“Reflecting on my own childhood experiences, I often recall the struggles I faced and the obstacles that seemed insurmountable.

"Those memories fuel my desire to break the cycle of hardship for others. I believe that by providing support and mentorship, I can help empower these individuals to overcome their difficulties and create better futures for themselves and their families.

"It is my hope that, through these efforts, we can foster a spirit of entrepreneurship that uplifts entire communities, ensuring that the challenges I once faced do not continue for the next generation.”

Recently, UPKO President Datuk Ewon Benedick visited them in Tenom where he launched Micro Financing for Small Traders and Merchants (MPPK 2.0) by Bank Rakyat, a zero-profit financing scheme specifically for small traders and merchants nationwide.

Ewon who is also Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative (MEDC) said that for Tenom, MEDC is upgrading two Tamu Desa sites in Melalap and Pekan Tenom involving an allocation of RM400,000 and is expected to be fully completed by early October. He mentioned that once completed, it will benefit over 150 traders.

“MEDC aims to make the Premises Development Programme (Tamu Desa) in Sabah and Sarawak an annual programme of the Ministry. Therefore, MEDC has prepared and launched a special Tamu Desa logo today, which will be used at each Tamu Desa project site," he said.

She says she is very motivated to serve the party under Ewon as being a young and energetic leader, with a voice that is heard in the Federal Level, he makes a good and proficient leader for the people.

“About 1000 party membership forms was presented to him during his visit,” she enthuses.

As for the future, she says she will keep on with her work as the UPKO Women Movement Chief of Tenom.