KUCHING (Feb 26): A total of RM958,000 in minor rural project (MRP) allocations have been channelled to the village security and development committees (JKKKs) and longhouse women bureaus in the Balai Ringin constituency.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the funds are meant to support these grassroots sub-groups in organising and running beneficial activities for their respective communities.
“I advise the JKKKs and the longhouse women bureaus in Balai Ringin to use the MRP funds wisely and in accordance to the intended purposes.
“The ‘tuai rumah’ (longhouse chieftains) and the main committees also need to inform their fellow villagers about the government grants so that they are always aware of this ongoing assistance from the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
“Quite often, I receive calls or text messages from some villages about them not being updated or informed about it,” said the Balai Ringin assemblyman when met after the distributing the funds to 79 JKKKs and longhouse women bureaus in Balai Ringin recently.
He added that the funds are meant to facilitate the longhouse sub-committees to hold activities meant to benefit everyone, such as ‘gotong royong’ (work party), sports and games during festive seasons, programmes for youths, and assistance for children’s education.
“How you use the funds, I leave it to the sub-committees to decide, as long as they are utilised wisely, with proper and complete records.”
Additionally, Snowdan also updated his constituents about the ongoing RM130 million Slabi water treatment plant project in Serian involving pipe-laying and construction of a high-level water tank at Melikin and Sabal areas.
“This is a Sarawak government-funded project, implemented by Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department.
“We are thankful to GPS-led state government, led by our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for this huge allocation to Balai Ringin.
“We also have a few ongoing projects under Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA), involving upgrading and tar-sealing works on roads at Melikin valued at RM5 million, and at Kampung Nyelitak valued at RM3.5 million,” he said.
Adding on, Snowdan said there were other upgrading road projects at Kampung Sabal Tapang and Kampung Tapang Lebat, which had been tendered out.
“The Balai Ringin new township project totalling RM55 million shall be tendered out this year.
“There are 20 other projects involving 20 villages, each allocated with RM300,000 funded by the GKCDA, involving upgrading works on ‘jalan kebun’ (agriculture roads) meant to benefit the farmers.
“All these will be implemented by the Drainage and Irrigation Department within this year,” he said.
