Masing presents RM826,800 in MRP grants
KUCHING: A total of 33 associations and nongovernmental organisations ( NGOs) here received grants amounting to RM826,800 under the Infrastructure Development and Transportation Ministry’s Minor Rural Projects ( MRP) allocation.
The recipients include longhouse security and development committees (JKKKs), churches and social clubs.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing handed over the allocation during a ceremony held in his office at Baitulmal Building here yesterday.
According to Masing, a total of RM4.5 million in MRP grants had been distributed to various NGOs throughout Sarawak and the Tuai Rumah in his constituency this year.
He noted that a lot of these allocations were given to people outside his constituency.
“The government has been very grateful to what the NGOs have done and supporting us in our programme for development. So in return we give whatever we can.
“I can appreciate the works of NGOs. They have done their works very well. You are doing it on voluntary basis, and that is very important,” he said.
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, added the least the government could do was to assist the voluntary organisations to ensure that they could continue with their work.
MRP grants are allocated to Ministers, Assistant Ministers and Barisan Nasional assemblymen to enable them to channel funds to organisations for their activities as well as to develop their respective constituency.