KUCHING: The Kuching Melanau Association is committed to helping the community, especially the youth, said Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communication Unit).
He noted that the main agenda of the association was to unite the Melanau community residing in the state capital.
“In line with the government’s agenda, they will also focus on youths, especially those studying at institutes of higher learning here.
“Besides that, they also want to make this centre (Wisma Melanau Kuching) a place for the Melanau community to gather and share about various government initiatives, entrepreneurship assistance and so on,” he said.
The Semop assemblyman said this to reporters at the breaking of fast with the community event organised by the association at Wisma Melanau Kuching, on Saturday.
In this regard, he added that they (the association) also acknowledged that most of the Melanau residing around Kuching come from hinterland areas.
“Therefore, with the existence of this association and complex, they can take the opportunity to share their views, wishes and ambitions in relation to things that should be done in rural areas and other related matters.
“Because in general, there are many job opportunities and so on in the city, but there are also those who want to serve and dedicate themselves to the rural areas who want to know what is planned by the government in rural areas.
“I think the Kuching Melanau Association is lucky to have a centre like this and I hope that it can be used well to benefit not only the Melanau but all parties,” he said.
In a related matter, he emphasised that the Melanau are a small ethnic group in Sarawak, but they want to work hard to make the community active and progressive, resulting in a generation that is educated and capable of serving the state.
Meanwhile, association president Fridah Osman said she was grateful to be able to hold small-scale activities after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This activity is on a small scale but it is a first step for us to organise larger activities in the future.
“God willing, more activities will be carried out… we will implement this trust to the best of our ability to bring together all the Melanau who come from various districts in Sarawak,” she said.
Earlier, Abdullah who attended the ceremony also donated RM10,000 to the association.
At the same time, the association also donated to orphans from the Nur Murni Care Centre and this was presented by Abdullah during the gathering.
