STAPANG – The Member of Parliament for Selangau, Edwin Banta, has reaffirmed his commitment to education and rural development by disbursing more than RM205,500 in assistance during a community engagement programme at Rumah Ubong Srikai, Stapang, on Monday.
The event, held under the theme of a Leaders and People’s Meeting and Casual Chat, provided a platform for dialogue between local residents and their elected representative, while also serving as an avenue to channel direct support to the community.
In his address, Edwin emphasised that education remains the cornerstone of rural progress, describing it as the most effective investment for the future. He presented RM37,500 in educational aid to 37 students from the Selangau constituency to support their university studies.
“Education is the best investment for the future. I hope this assistance can encourage rural students to continue striving to achieve success for the sake of their families and communities,” he said.
Beyond education, Edwin also announced allocations under the Minor Rural Project (MRP) scheme, amounting to RM168,000. The funds were distributed to four Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) and four Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG) to implement community-based projects.
Among the recipients were JKKK Rumah Jimbun, Nanga Alat, Tamin, which received RM25,000 to rebuild a longhouse destroyed by fire, and JKKK Rumah Undi Seliau, Ulu Oya, which was allocated funds to construct a gravity-fed water system to provide residents with a more reliable supply of clean water.
Edwin highlighted that since 2023, more than RM500,000 in education assistance has been channelled to 483 students across the Selangau parliamentary constituency. He said this reflects his ongoing commitment to ensuring that rural youth are not left behind in pursuing higher education.
“Every ringgit channelled is not just financial assistance, but an investment in building the future of our children so that they can bring change to their own communities,” he added.
The programme also served as a morale booster for the local community, with residents welcoming the allocations as a sign of the government’s continued focus on uplifting rural areas.
The combination of education support and infrastructure development is expected to have a lasting impact on both individual families and the wider constituency.
Edwin further urged community leaders and associations to make full use of the allocations, stressing the importance of accountability and transparency in managing public funds. He noted that effective implementation of projects would ensure long-term benefits for the people of Selangau.
The event concluded with a call for unity and cooperation among residents, reinforcing the message that education, infrastructure, and community spirit are the key drivers of rural transformation.
