SARIKEI: Community leaders need to play an important role as a link to government organisations.
Deputy Minister of Women, Children and Community Welfare Mohamad Razi Sitam said expressed this statement because they (community leaders) are the main person to assist in identifying those who really need government aid.
“There are still a lot of people out there sidelined by government aid database who need financial support from the Department of Social Welfare and other departments.
“Therefore, community leaders need to be a bridge to government organisations so that we can help these people,” he said.
Razi stressed on this during the inaugural launching of ‘Sejambak Kasih Hari Raya’ programme organised by the Social Welfare office of Sarikei division at Dewan Sri Nyelong yesterday.
He believes that through a programme such as ‘Sejambak Kasih Hari Raya’, it could assist the targeted group, especially in terms of financial aid and other necessity.
“This donation gives meaning to those in need and to some extent it can cheer up those who are celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri”.
“Programmes like this benefit the people in helping to lighten their burdens thus showing that the government is responsible to address the hardship of the people regardless of race,” he added..
A total of 357 Muslim recipients have been identified to receive the monthly welfare assistance through this programme, with RM14,260 total sum allocated.
During the programme, each recipient received RM100 ‘duit Raya’ and hamper worth RM80.
Meanwhile, this ‘Sejambak Kasih Hari Raya’ outreach programme will be carried out at all the divisional Social Welfare offices throughout Sarawak.