BY MOHD ZAHID AHMAD ZAKI
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 84 Sarawakians have received assistance from the Sarawak government as well as the Sarawak Foundation (Yayasan Sarawak) in conjunction with the month of Ramadan.
The donation was handed over by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang to those in need during the breaking of fast programme ‘Sungkei Ngan Abang Jo’ at the Four Seasons Hotel here on Saturday evening (Sat 16).
Abang Johari in his speech said the breaking-of-fast programme would benefit various sections of the community, especially during the month of Ramadan.
“The recipients include single mothers, orphans, Sarawak students who are pursuing studies at higher learning institutions in Semenanjung Malaysia and others,” he said.
He said since the establishment of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in 2020, the state government has continued to help Sarawakians abroad or in Semenanjung Malaysia.
“A total of 38,106 people comprising 21,214 students and 16,892 members of the public have received assistance from the Sarawak government during the MCO until now,” he said.
The Premier said that various assistance was also channeled including food donations and hep with regard to accommodation, medical costs, flights and funeral arrangements.
“The quarantine order was also enforced on travellers returning from abroad from December 2021 to April 1, 2022 and this incurred the state government an expenditure of around RM2.5 million to curb the spread of the virus,” he said.
He added that although the country was facing the challenge of an uncertain economic situation, the task of defending the future of the people was always a priority and would always be the main agenda of the Sarawak government.
“The state government has always focused on the agenda of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in the interest of the people and the state.
He stressed that recently discussions on the provisions of Article 112D have been discussed.
“We want the right formula. For as long as the issue of this formula is not resolved, we do not want to simply accept it,” said Abang Johari.
