By DayakDaily Team
BETONG, Nov 2: The Integrated Village Economic Development Project Programme (PROSPEK) in Betong, set to begin in 2025, will mark the first project involving Betong’s longhouse communities.
In a news report by TVS, Federal Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi highlighted that with a five-year development period, this initiative is projected to benefit over 3,000 residents across 94 longhouses and surrounding areas.
“This project will focus on economic activities like agriculture, livestock, traditional products, and handicrafts, with a particular emphasis on niche products such as poultry farming and ginger cultivation,” he said in a media statement today.
Zahid, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister, expressed hope that PROSPEK will transform each participating community into a dynamic rural economic hub by 2030.
“The Ministry remains committed to strengthening rural development through various projects.
“PROSPEK, launched in Sarawak in 2020, is one of our efforts to stimulate the local economy while improving infrastructure and community well-being,” he affirmed.
Today, he attended the Leaders with the People event at the Enteri Lengkoi Samu longhouse in Spaoh, celebrating its 100th anniversary, where he engaged with local residents.
During the event, he also distributed school aid through the Mara Education Foundation’s (YPM) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, providing RM100 in cash and school bags to 200 students in the Betong area.
This support aims to assist low-income families with educational needs and encourage students to excel academically.
Through this comprehensive initiative, KKDW is reinforcing efforts to ensure that Sarawak’s rural communities benefit from holistic development, encompassing both economic and educational growth to enhance the well-being of future generations.
Also present at the event were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Federal Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, and Tan Sri Empiang Jabu, representing Samu Longhouse. — DayakDaily
