MUKAH: The total value of projects applied by the people in the Balingian constituency annually is between RM12 millions and RM15 millions, said Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi.
He pointed out that the amount far exceeded the total annual allocation of RM5 millions given to each state constituency by the Sarawak government.
He added all the projects applied and the costs involved were deliberated during lab sessions between October and November every year.
“Due to the limited allocation, approval of the projects has to be carried out accordingly and based on priority,” he said when officiating at the Sepakat Komuniti programme at Dewan Integrasi, Kampung Jebungan here on Saturday (Aug 21).
Abdul Yakub, who was former Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM) walikota, also mentioned other government assistance, which he was familiar with and had dealt with through his Balingian Service Centre here.
These included Program Pembaikan Rumah Miskin Rakyat Sarawak (PPRMS), Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT), minor rural projects (MRP), education aid, compassionate aid and aid for the sick including wheelchair.
Abdul Yakub, said the PPRMS would continue to be implemented and allocated accordingly on a zone basis, while PPRT would also be continued although the quota was limited.
He advised any family whose sick member no longer needed the wheelchair to donate it to others who might need it instead of just keeping it at home.
On Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) planned for Kampung Jebungan under its village extension scheme, Abdul Yakub assured the villagers, particularly the applicants that he would always follow up on the matter with the Housing Development Commission (HDC) and advised them to be patient.
On the change of village name, which Kampung Jebungan penghulu John Buda raised in his welcoming speech, Abdul Yakub suggested he write to the Mukah district office.
John said he was in charge of Kampung Jebungan, Kampung Kuala Jebungan and Kampung Kelapa Baharu.
He requested Abdul Yakub to help change the name of Kampung Kelapa Baharu to Kampung Jebungan Pantai.
Mukah district Information officer, Shahrulizan Madian, who also spoke, said the programme aimed to disseminate information on government policies and other related matters to the villagers.
He revealed that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, talks by government agencies, which were part of the programme, had to be cancelled in compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
At the event, Abdul Yakub also handed over pamphlets and booklets on government policies and other matters to heads of departments, agencies and community leaders as well as food baskets to the needy.
Assistant Mukah district officer, Peleadzman Ahip, who represented district officer and Mukah district police chief, DSP Mohamad Rizal Alias also attended the event.
