#BIZIBUTUNGGAL BOOSTS INCOME FOR 127 SINGLE MOTHERS IN PENANG - EXCO

BUKIT MERTAJAM, March 31 (Bernama) -- A total of 127 single mothers in Penang have benefited from the #BizIbuTunggal project since its introduction on Feb 6, as part of efforts to empower women, particularly single mothers.

State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the initiative aims to help single mothers become self-reliant through an entrepreneurial approach, enabling them to generate their own income.

She said that under the initiative, the Women and Family Development Committee (JPWK) in all 40 state constituencies acts as a link by sourcing sponsors or buyers, as well as identifying single mothers who wish to earn a living by producing goods, which are then distributed to vulnerable and needy groups.

“The #BizIbuTunggal is not merely a sales platform, but an empowerment initiative that provides opportunities for single mothers to become independent,” she said at the Penang-level International Women’s Day 2026 celebration at the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) Tower here today.

She added that it also creates space for them to continue striving and succeed through the principle of ‘teaching a person to fish rather than simply giving them one,’ enabling long-term self-reliance.

The opening ceremony was officiated by the wife of Penang Governor, Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah, and was also attended by MBSP mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid.

Elaborating further, Lim said that through the spirit of togetherness and concern from all parties, the project successfully generated RM144,274.50 in less than two months, surpassing its RM100,000 target with the participation of 347 sponsors or buyers.

“This means the average income received by each single mother participating in the project is RM1,136. More encouragingly, one single mother earned RM9,600 in just over a month, proving the success of this project,” she said.

Meanwhile, Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng said that #BizIbuTunggal was introduced as a pilot project in conjunction with the International Women’s Day 2026 celebration and was timely as it was implemented during the Aidilfitri festive season.

She said among the products produced were festive cookies as well as creative items such as hampers and souvenirs, with participants selected by the JPWK in each state constituency.

According to her, the project’s success within a short period demonstrates the effectiveness of the model, and there are plans to expand its implementation to other festive seasons such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas.

-- BERNAMA