By Chris Bishop and Karen Bong
GEDONG, March 10: The Sarawak government is ever ready to collaborate with and provide allocations either through state or even Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) funds for the Armed Forces to implement Jiwa Murni projects.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, in giving this assurance, pointed out that the Armed Forces can even collaborate with state elected representatives who can mobilise their respective RTP funds to implement small but people-centric projects especially in rural areas.
“The state government is ever ready to collaborate with and support the military in carrying out and implementing Jiwa Murni projects.
“Allocation is not a problem especially for people-centric projects. Not that we are arrogant, but we can give the allocations where they are needed,” he said when officiating Jiwa Murni projects at Gedong Community Hall today.
Allocations, he explained, will be given depending on the size of the projects and based on request.
“If it is a big project then (we) may not be able to. Furthermore, the RM5 million RTP allocated to each state elected representatives can also be used to fund their projects,” he added.
The state government has allocated about RM1.5 million to assist the Armed Forces in implementing 21 Jiwa Murni projects in Gedong including upgrading footbridges, repairing houses, mosques, suraus and community halls, as well as upgrading infrastructure at cemeteries currently.
These projects are ongoing and expected to be completed by the end of this month.
On whether Jiwa Murni projects will be expanded to other areas in Sarawak apart from Gedong, Abang Johari explained that both the state government and Armed Forces can identify projects that will bring benefits to the community or target groups which can be jointly implemented.
“I have discussed (the matter) with the Commander-In-Chief earlier on, and that if they have the time and ability, we can identify other projects which can be jointly implemented.
“When they are free; (because) if they are occupied (with other tasks and duties) then certainly cannot be done. So it is based on suitability and availability of their time, and maybe we can implement projects in other places,” he said.
In general, Abang Johari expressed support for the Jiwa Murni projects to be expanded and continued as its people-centric approach has a positive impact on vulnerable and less fortunate communities.
“(This is) especially (so) in assisting to restore houses and houses of worship,” he added.
Additionally, he emphasised that the military and defence exhibition was an important feature of today’s events held in conjunction with the 88th anniversary of the Armed Forces, to showcase its strengths, capabilities and growth.
“This is because we also want the young to join the Armed Forces because this is very important for the nation.
“The civilian (society) and military can go together such as in the Penawar operation in Sibu whereby the ‘askar wataniah’ also assisted. So here we can see the important and strong relationships between the civilian armed forces and the military,” he said.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Assistant Minister for International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais and Chief of Army General Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain were among those present. — DayakDaily
