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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 3: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives do not personally hold the RM8 million worth of funding under initiatives such as the Minor Rural Project (MRP), Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) and Sarawak Poor Home Improvement Programme (PPRMS).
Addressing the misconceptions surrounding the allocation of funds for rural development programmes, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap emphasised that elected representatives are required to submit the necessary paperwork to secure funding for eligible applicants.
Each GPS elected member is allocated RM2 million for MRP, RM5 million for RTP and RM1 million for PPRMS.
“To access the funding, we would need to submit a proposal which will go through the SPMS, a project monitoring system that manages the allocation process, followed by seeking approval from the Premier’s Department.
“Once approved, the Sarawak Financial Office would issue the cheque. The primary responsibility of elected members is to assess each case, ensuring that the applicant meets the condition and criteria, advocate for their respective constituencies and secure the allocated funding,” he told reporters after handing over a completed housing repair project under his PPRMS at Kampung Stampin Baru here today.
Yap highlighted that Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had reminded all GPS elected representatives about the importance of using the allocated funds responsibly for the benefit of the people.
As part of the government’s accountability initiative, he added that applicants must adhere to proper documentation procedures, including obtaining endorsements from community leaders.
Yap also made it clear that politics played no role in any rural development programmes as their aim was to assist those in need as long as they meet the stipulated criteria.
For today’s PPRMS project at Kampung Stampin Baru, RM15,000 was allocated by the government for the repair of the dilapidated house of 82-year-old Chai Fook Lan involving replacement of roofs, ceilings as well as some parts of the walls and repainting works.
The elderly woman lived with her son who worked odd jobs.
The PPRMS initiative by the Sarawak government was to provide assistance to impoverished individuals in all constituencies with a grant of RM15,000 allocated for house repairs and improvement.
“This applicant was brought up by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong during an event and I came down together with Kapitan Chai Yong Liang for assessment and proceeded with the submission for grant.
“The repair was completed about a week ago,” Yap explained.
He also urged the community in Kota Sentosa constituency to approach their respective community leaders or the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) if they are in need of assistance for repairing their dilapidated house.
“However, the applicant must fulfill the requirements such as coming from a disadvantaged background, hardcore poor but not necessarily of B40 status, and the condition of the house would also be taken into consideration,” he said. — DayakDaily
