Rural women urged to exploit potential of digital economy
JULAU: Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat has urged women in his constituency to exploit the potential of digital economy embarked upon by the Sarawak government to accelerate the state’s economic growth.
He said they could take part in cottage industry through the Women Bureau in their respective longhouses, while urging longhouses which have yet to form their women bureau to do so.
“Just call for a meeting to discuss the formation of the bureau and having done that, submit the list of your committees to my service centre,” advises Rolland in explaining the simple process they have to follow during a ceremony to launch the Women’s Bureau of Rumah Jalang here recently.
Rolland said the bureaus could become a platform to create entrepreneurs from among the longhouse womenfolk.
He encouraged the bureau members to hold regular discussions to plan their direction, especially to choose the most suitable type of businesses to venture into, citing homestay, handicraft and traditional foods and drinks as several examples of potential businesses.
He assured that he would allocate grants to help with the formation of such bureau as well as small capital to start their businesses, adding, as an encouragement, he would give incentives to the most active bureaus in his constituency.
According to Rolland, he would set aside RM300,000 annually from his minor rural project ( MRP) fund for the women bureau.
Later he announced a grant of RM5,000 to Rumah Jalang’s Women Bureau; another RM20,000 for them to build a store and RM1,000 to each of the 37 Women Bureaus from the surrounding areas which sent representatives to attend the function.
Rolland who was also invited to commission the longhouse’s Solar System implemented under the State Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme ( Sares) announced a grant of RM5,000 for the longhouse security and development committee (JKKK).
Among those present were his wife, a representative from Pakan District Office Yalin Asan, Pemanca Tekong Rangie, TR Jalang Nesau and the longhouse’s Women Bureau chairperson Siti Tibu.
Just call for a meeting to discuss the formation of the bureau and having done that, submit the list of your committees to my service centre. Rolland Duat, Meluan assemblyman