KAPIT: A longhouse in Rumah Edison Bugap in Kapit received a grant of RM235,000 in conjunction with a state level Research Institute for Rubber Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) function there yesterday.
The allocation was by the Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) Malaysia, Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi when he officiated at ‘Majlis Kasihi Perkebun RISDA Negeri Sarawak 2017’ held at 47-door longhouse at Jalan Melekun, in Baleh here located about half an hour journey by road from Kapit town recently.
To coincide with the function Nanta announced the aforesaid government grant through the Housing Aid Project (Projek Bantuan Rumah) to the Village Development Committee (JKKK) of Rumah Edison Bugap (RM5000 per door/family) to enable them to replace the roofing of the said longhouse that was in a dilapidated condition.
RISDA Sarawak under the purview of KKLW organised the function.
In addition Nanta who is also the member of Parliament for P215 Kapit also announced a grant of RM10,000 to the JKKK committee of Rumah Edison Bugap for them to purchase the fire fighting equipment (hose) as a preventive measure against fire.
Meanwhile the Women Bureau of the said longhouse has also benefited from Nanta as he announced a grant of RM3,000 for them to carry out their activities for the year.
Present at the function were the state assemblyman for Pelagus, Wilson Nyabong Ijang, political secretaries to the Chief Minister of Nicholas Kudi Jantai and Tapah Ata, Director of RISDA Sarawak Zulkefli Bin Zaini, administrative officer Kapit District Office Robert Anyau, heads of the various government departments, community leaders and some 150 invited guests and longhouse folks from the nearby areas.
The ‘Majlis Kasihi Perkebun RISDA Negeri Sarawak 2017’ programme is organised throughout the state to help the RISDA participants comprising the rubber smallholders including students and handicraft entrepreneurs. RISDA assisted each rubber smallholders through a one off payment of RM500 when the price of rubber falls.
The programme among others was to get to know the roles and functions of RISDA, to establish close relationship between RISDA and rubber smallholders, to serve as platform to exchange idea, sharing latest information and technology and at the same time providing an opportunity for the people to meet their leaders.
