DARO, Dec 10: Semop assemblyman Datuk Abdullah Saidol has presented minor rural project (MRP) allocations worth RM1.471 million to 65 recipients during his work visit this weekend.
The recipients included 20 village security and development committees (RM1,138,200), 30 Parent-Teacher Associations (RM218,800), two mosque and surau management committees (RM61,000), and eight clubs and associations (RM53,000).
Abdullah, also the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information, and UKAS), stated that from the total allocation, RM1,283 million, or 87 per cent, was for implementing 23 minor public amenity projects.
“Meanwhile, RM188,000 or 13 per cent was to cover the cost of organising various social and community activities,” he said in a statement today.
At the same time, Abdullah commented that the Sarawak government, under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, remains committed to prioritising development in rural areas.
This was proven when, under the largest ever Sarawak Budget worth RM12.363 billion for 2024, the government allocated RM9 billion for infrastructure development. Of that sum, RM6.5 billion or 70 per cent is allocated for the rural areas.
“Developing the rural areas is the State government’s holistic effort because, under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 or new economic agenda, the rural areas have the potential to become the main contributor to Sarawak’s revenue, especially in the food supply and new green energy sectors.
“The large tropical forest in the depths of Sarawak is an essential component for the carbon storage initiative or carbon credit.
“In Sarawak, there are also many large rivers and fast-flowing water that are suitable for mini hydro dam projects without disturbing the sustainability of the surrounding nature,” he added. — DayakDaily
