SEMOP – More than RM5.5 million has been allocated to the Semop State Assembly constituency to finance various rural development programmes such as infrastructure improvement, community project and educational projects.
Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Deputy Minister Datuk Abdullah Saidol who is also the Assemblyman for Semop revealed that allocation. He revealed the plans when he visited some of the settlements in the constituency on a two-day working visit.
Of the allocated sum, RM846,000 through the Small Rural Projects (MRP) scheme has so far been channelled to 20 recipients. The money is meant to boost local facilities and community organisations. RM671,000 has also been allocated for minor infrastructure works like building parking areas, piers repairs and upgrading of village roads, mosques, and community halls.
Datuk Abdullah added that RM175,000 is allocated for community activities and programmes in schools as it goes to show the government’s commitment towards social development compared to tangible infrastructure. In the meantime, 18 Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) projects, worth RM4.65 million, are to start this year. The goal of these works is to make life better for the people of Semop, by improving access to services and amenities.
He advised the JKKK “indoor” leaders to act with responsibility and transparency when handling allocations during his working visit here. He emphasized that good governance at the grassroots level is key to ensuring that the funds are well spent and for it benefit all communities.
While speaking with the press, he reminded that the rural sector has always been given emphasis by the Sarawak government. We have spent more than 60 per cent of the state’s development budget of about RM6 billion in the rural areas.
“Construction of 16 bridges in excess of RM6 billion are also executed in the rural coastal areas, which had (been completed) or is under construction. All of this can be achieved, when leaders are wisdom in the management of development planning and state income. Certainly, political stability and racial unity are also key factors,” he said.
His comments highlight the state’s overall policy of keeping the rural areas not being marginalised in Sarawak development agenda. Lately the administration emphasises infrastructure, education and community empowerment, part of its longer-term plan for real development that benefits urban and rural areas in the same breadth.
The working visit targeted Tekajong, Sedi, Serdeng and longhouses of Sungai Sian. The programme was participated by 20 KMKK, 20 Tuai Rumah, school’s PIBG, association members, mosque representative and residents. Their engaging was a demonstration of the cooperation between government and community interest groups to achieve rural development.
Semop will have the opportunity of benefiting from new allocations that will ensure the provision of better utilities and basic rural amenities as promised by the government in its efforts to assist and develop rural areas throughout Sarawak.
