SERIAN: The Department of Information Malaysia (JAPEN) should enhance the role and function of the MADANI community, especially in rural villagers.
Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said this could be done by organising more sports activities for these communities.
He made the suggestion when officiating at a ‘Program Jalinan Ihsan Wahana Aspirasi (JIWA) MADANI’, JAPEN Serian District at Pangkalan Amo-Tebedu Link Road, Tebedu recently.
He also reminded citizens to always be aware of changes in modern life patterns by monitoring their children and themselves when using telecommunication facilities, urging them not to be complacent as there are many distracting forms of entertainment.
“We must verify the information received and the accuracy of facts, because through phones, divorces, fights, money loss and more can occur. Always be cautious.
“You are all the eyes and ears of the government; the MADANI community needs to be more vigilant in helping the government and JAPEN in disseminating accurate information to the public so that the government’s messages, policies and any reforms reach the grassroots level,” he said.
Earlier, Sarawak Information Department director Helmi Hamid, informed that Sarawak has 246 MADANI communities established, covering 31 parliamentary constituencies and 82 state constituencies, with three in each area.
In the Serian parliamentary constituency, nine MADANI communities have been established, with three each in Tebedu, Kedup, and Bukit Semuja.
The JIWA MADANI Community Programme featured awareness talks and informative entertainment by PENTARAMA aimed at spreading information, current issues, government policies, and initiatives, including providing e-services to all levels of society.
Among other things, it aims to understand the real situation at the grassroots level in line with the government’s call to empower the community and serve as a bridge between the government and the people.
“We are also sharing information materials not limited to printed formats but also accessible through the Digital Book (DBook) @Penerangan channel.
“This channel is a portal housing collections of publications by JAPEN, including those from Sarawak, such as Pemadah bulletins, Infomesen and Jendela Info magazines, brochures, and small books for public use, which can be easily downloaded anywhere with internet access,” said Helmi.
JAPEN Sarawak has used various platforms, including traditional approaches like face-to-face engagement sessions, to holistically connect with the people, thereby fulfilling the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI to transform Malaysia into a sustainable, prosperous, creative, respectful, confident, and compassionate country.
