By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 4: The Sarawak government has agreed to provide allocations to longhouses or villages led by community chiefs who have not yet obtained official appointment certificates, subject to certain conditions.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the longhouses or villages must meet several requirements to qualify for government allocations.
“The first requirement is that the longhouse or village must have at least 20 residents or have established a valid Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK).
“Once this requirement has been met, they must obtain support from the District Office and will be eligible to open a bank account to enable the Sarawak government to channel allocations to them,” he said when officiating the Randau Ruai event at Rumah James Kemendan, Sapak Atas Baru, here today.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening the bridge between elected representatives and community chiefs to expedite the Sarawak government’s development process.
“The community chiefs who previously took a different path but have now returned to the Sarawak government should be commended for recognising that improving the people’s livelihoods must take precedence over personal interests.
“Therefore, I hope these community chiefs can open a new chapter in the direction of village development while strengthening their ties with representatives of the Sarawak Government from time to time,” he said.
At the event, Snowdan, who is Balai Ringin assemblyman, announced a RM15,000 allocation under the Minor Rural Project (MRP) for the Sapak Atas Baru JKKK, along with RM5,000 for the women’s bureau of the organisation.
Also present were Pantu District Office Administrative Officer Helen Maria Nelson Ugas, Penghulu Angin Ajie, Penghulu Johnny Lumie, Penghulu Judi Inau, community chiefs, and residents. — DayakDaily
