SEBUYAU – The People-Friendly Networking Programme has been highlighted as a vital initiative to strengthen communication between leaders and residents in Batang Lupar, ensuring that local concerns are addressed in a structured and inclusive manner.
Batang Lupar Member of Parliament, Mohamad Shafizan Kepli, emphasised that such programmes are essential in bridging the gap between policymakers and communities. He noted that direct engagement allows leaders to better understand the realities faced by citizens and to design development strategies that reflect genuine needs.
“Presence face to face with the community provides space to understand the real issues of the people, in addition to helping my party formulate more accurate and inclusive development plans,” he said during the event held in Sebuyau on Monday.
The programme included open dialogue sessions, advisory services from government agencies, and community activities designed to involve participants of all ages.
Aid distribution was also a central feature, with donations provided to 50 recipients from underprivileged backgrounds. Wheelchairs were handed over to elderly and disabled residents, reinforcing the commitment to improving welfare support for vulnerable groups.
Shafizan explained that these initiatives not only ease the burden of recipients but also demonstrate that community welfare remains a priority in Batang Lupar’s development agenda. He added that continued efforts of this nature will help ensure challenges are resolved more effectively and systematically.
The event was attended by Sebuyau Assistant District Officer Louis Andria Bareing, who underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between local authorities and federal representatives.
Sebuyau itself has been undergoing rapid transformation in recent years, evolving from a riverside settlement into a strategic coastal hub. Infrastructure projects, including the Batang Lupar Bridge, which is set to become Malaysia’s longest river crossing upon completion in 2026, have been central to this progress.
Alongside such developments, community-focused programmes like the People-Friendly Networking initiative are seen as complementary measures to ensure residents benefit directly from wider economic growth.
Observers note that Batang Lupar has also been the focus of broader rural empowerment schemes, such as the PKD Mobile Programme, which delivers government services directly to remote communities. Together, these efforts reflect a wider policy drive to balance infrastructure expansion with social welfare improvements across Sarawak.
As Batang Lupar continues to modernise, leaders stress that maintaining close ties with residents will remain crucial. Programmes like this are expected to play a recurring role in shaping inclusive policies and ensuring that development is not only visible in physical projects but also felt in everyday lives.
