KUCHING: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector have been urged to do more for the less fortunate.
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen said help to the needy should not be the sole responsibility of the government.
He said government allocations can be quite significant, but they can never be enough.
“That is why we need to depend on charitable organisations and businesses to contribute money and effort for charitable activities,” he said at the Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society Sarawak (CHKMUS) Chinese New Year dinner at SJK(C) Chung Hua No 3 Hall along Jalan Padungan here on Saturday.
He commended the efforts of CHKMUS over the years in helping the less fortunate.
Meanwhile, political secretary to the chief minister, Tan Kai, who was representing Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, told the people not to panic by the Covid-19 outbreak.
He also urged that Chong’s ministry stock up on face masks and that these be distributed to the elderly above the age of 60 as this group was more vulnerable due to their weaker immune systems.
Also present were Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei and CHKMUS president Datuk Seri Tay Chin Kin.
