KUCHING: The recent Reading Seeds, PANDei, Go Digital Asean, and Bersama Wakil Rakyat’s Digital Inclusiveness Programme 2020 saw 70 participants from council members and longhouse chiefs (tuai rumah) taking a six-day course to enhance their knowledge in communication which prioritises IT literacy.
Assistant Minister of Community Wellbeing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis officiated at the programme’s closing ceremony at the Digital Community Centre (DCC) Library, Lubok Antu District Council (MDLA) in Engkilili on Saturday.
The objective of the programme was to introduce the culture of reading as early as when the mother is pregnant until the child reaches the age of three years.
The programme also introduced the digital world, which has become the current communication trend in social and business matters.
It aimed to bridge the digital divide among Asean countries in the use of the Information Technology (IT) so as to not be left behind, as well as encouraging the use of applications provided in handphones, smartphones, and laptops.
During the event, there was also sharing of information and current government policies with people’s representatives in attendance.
The information shared revolved around the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government’s efforts in developing the people as a whole as well as its development plan towards becoming a developed state by 2030.
The programme organisers invited educators skilled in the field of IT, namely James Junong Magin and Jacqualine Penghulu Klinsing from Graduates Enhancement Training Sarawak (GETS).
When speaking at the closing ceremony of the course, Francis, who is also Simanggang assemblyman, congratulated the organisers for successfully carrying out the programme which was in line with the current needs of the digital world.
This is the aspiration of the GPS government in an effort to disseminate government policies which prioritise the people of Sarawak in having knowledge relating to the internet and being able to utilise available applications.
At the ceremony, Harden approved a minor rural project (MRP) allocation of RM5,000 to the MDLA Engkilili Recreation Club to fund club activities.
