Radin presenting a certificate to one of JKKK chairman, witnessed by Bubudan (centre).
Radin and Bubudan with heads of state and federal government department and participants.
KENINGAU: Another hardcore poor people development programme (PPRT) farm will be implemented in Sumatalun, Nabawan district next year, said Rural Development Minister, Datuk Radin Malleh yesterday.
He said the farm, which is the third in the state, is expected to involve a total of 360 hardcore poor households (KIRMT).
“Two other PPRT farm in the state is in Kalabakan and Tongod with 1,117 KIRMT involved in both of these farms,” he said, when officiating the Management and Administration courses for Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) and the Urban Community Committee (JKDB) for Nabawan district at Sento Hotel here.
According to him, the state government’s main challenge, in particular his Ministry’s, is to bring the rural people to move in tandem with the country’s development.
In this regard, he said, the first thing that needs to be accomplished is to bring the poor and the rural hardcore poor out of the poverty line.
“To this end, I urge all levels of leadership, especially JKKK/JKDB leadership to help locate and identify qualified local people for receiving assistance provided by the government,” he said.
Accordingly, he urged the leadership and presence of the JKKK/JKDB to be filled with values of integrity, ability and dedication in carrying out the duties and responsibilities entrusted on them.
He said, based on the Statistics Department report on the country’s population in 2009, about 1.4 million people or 44 percent of the State population is made up of young people aged between 15 to 40 years.
“As we all know, young people are the most important resources and assets that need to be addressed in society. The future of our country depends on the ability of young people today. If the youths today are among the good and virtuous character, of course, the face of our state in the future can be described as a state of progress, peace and prosperity,” he said.
Radin called on the leaders to immediately reach out and understand the needs and expectations of the youths in their village. What is of concern is that if we do not create hope and opportunity for them, most likely they will migrate or leave the village without knowledge and skills.
He said if such situation arises, it will encourage more migration and the negative influences of the larger urban areas will trap them into becoming social problems.
“Therefore, listen the whispers of their hearts and bring them together in working planned development and activities of the village. Such actions will indirectly make room for the younger generation to learn and together attain their aspirations.
“I am fully confident that if there is continued effort, cooperation and commitment of the leadership, the government’s dream to bring progress and prosperity to the rural people can be achieved more quickly,” he said.
He said, in line with the State Budget for 2014 which was tabled by Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, the Barisan Nasional (BN) government has shown its commitment for continuous and sincere assistance to the people to provide a better future, a more prosperous life and to make the state to be more peaceful, harmonious and prosperous.
“With the development allocation amounting to RM103.92 million proposed under the 2014 Budget, the Ministry of Rural Development will continue to implement projects to eradicate poverty especially on the Prosperous Agricultural Mini Estate (MESEJ), Aquaculture Mesej , Integrated Mesej, Micro Mesej, beside implementing Amenity development projects and the Village Economy, Prosperous Village Programme, Village Entrepreneurship Program and rural development projects to improve the quality of life of the people, especially in the rural areas.
“The implementation of the Mesej program which was initiated in 2004 with priority to those poverty areas in almost all the State has shown a significant impact. So far, there are 45 Mesej in various stages of implementation and included three from Nabawan district, namely Kampung Salinatan Mesej, Kampung Labang 1 and Kampung Labang 2 Mesej, which will benefit 99 hardcore poor household (KIRMT) when it is completed,” he said.
Also present at the function was Nabawan District officer, Bubudan OT Majalu, and heads of Nabawan state and Federal Department.