RM63 mln for Risda development projects
KOTA KINABALU: A total of RM63 million has been allocated to the Sabah Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda).
This allocation will be used for projects that are currently under development such as replanting aid, infrastructure for agriculture base, additional economic activities, entrepreneurship activities and other programmes
“This allocation is one of the biggest ones in Risda Malaysia, as compared to the other states in the country. It makes Sabah a focus point for development, especially in the rural areas.
“Thus, I would like to remind all of us to work together with commitment and spirit so that we may help those who are living in the rural areas, especially the Risda smallholders, in hopes of preserving their future welfare,” said Risda chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.
Zahidi also disclosed that Risda had recently established Yayasan Risda (Risda Foundation) which will serve as a platform in executing its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs towards the country’s smallholders.
These farmers had received RM2 million fund, which will be used to coordinate various aid schemes which include Smallholders’ Children Education Aid Scheme, Orphans and Single Mothers Aid Scheme, Sports Aid Scheme, Students Aid Scheme, OKU Aid Scheme, Natural Disaster Aid Scheme, Family Progress Aid Scheme and IPT scholarships for the smallholders’ children.
“The Risda Foundation is also in the process of building tahfiz (religious) schools and orphanages.
“We must not forget these smallholders. I have seen the awareness among these smallholders when it comes to the importance of sending their children to religious schools - all of us search for blessings from the Almighty,” Zahidi said during the officiating ceremony of Risda’s seminar on Strengthening Cooperation and Stabilization Operations.
The event also featured a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Risda and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on their corruptionfree campaign.
Also present were Risda Sabah director Zakaria Mat Darus and MACC Sabah director Dato’ Sazali Salbi.