By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 6: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed to provide a RM500,000 allocation for Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) to implement programmes throughout next year.
He noted that DBKU has identified a total of 363 programmes to be implemented next year but the total cost incurred is projected to exceed its budget.
“DBKU has a budget of about RM400,000 but the total cost to implement all the programmes amounts to RM900,000.
“Okay-lah, I will add an allocation of RM500,000 for DBKU to implement the programmes,” he said during the Kejiranan Mesra (KJM) Dinner held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here earlier tonight.
Earlier in his speech, Deputy Minister of Utilities Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi who is also in charge of DBKU and Islamic Affairs, requested for additional funding from the Premier to cover the extra cost incurred in implementing the 363 programmes planned by KJM committees, throughout next year.
Under DBKU, the JKM committees are from Pantai Damai, Demak Laut, Samariang, Tupong and Satok constituencies.
“To implement the finalised 363 activities, the budget approved by the DBKU Mayor (Datu Junaidi Reduan) and DBKU director (Mohamed Khaidir Abang) is RM475,000.
“However, initially, the total cost needed to implement the activities is higher than the approved budget which amounts to RM900,000,” he said.
At the same time, Abang Johari has also proposed to DBKU to make its famous ‘car-free morning’ programme twice a month.
“With this, families will be able to do recreational activities together and better ties fostered among the local folk,” he pointed out.
Presently, the programme is held on the first Sunday of every month, from 6.30am to 10am. It enables the residents to have their morning exercise such as cycling and aerobics without any interference from traffic.
Amongst those present were the Premier’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, DBKU Mayor Junaidi, and Mohamed Khaidir. — DayakDaily
