However, its minister, Shahelmey Yahya, said his ministry was unable to completely implement a 10-year plan aimed at eradicating underage marriages started by the previous Warisan-led state government.

He said the plan involved legislation and only the state ministry in charge of law could take care of the implementation.

“But my ministry can continue awareness campaigns on this matter as well as on women’s rights,” he said, during his winding-up speech at the state assembly today.

Shahelmey was responding to a question from Jannie Lasimbang (DAP-Kepayan) who asked if his ministry could ensure the continuation of the 10-year plan considering there had been a change in government.

Lasimbang, the law and native affairs assistant minister in the previous state administration, said she had highlighted the issue in her debate speech previously.

“The plan also involves organising awareness campaigns on the part of the government,” she added.

Lasimbang also enquired if the government would improve the e-Kasih list to ensure only qualified recipients benefited from the state’s Baiduri programme, which is an initiative to help 45,134 women in Sabah.

In reply, Shahelmey said efforts would be undertaken for such assistance to be channelled more effectively.

To another question over rising prices of essential items, he said the state domestic trade and consumer affairs office was mobilising 220 personnel statewide to monitor the situation.

He said this also involved daily price monitoring by 85 officers on 480 items in 138 premises all over the state.