Use MRP grants wisely, Balai Ringin assemblyman tells recipients

KUCHING: Funds allocated by the government for minor rural projects (MRP) should be utilised wisely by the recipients according to the intended purposes, said Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

The Balai Ringin assemblyman, who is Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Deputy Minister, said village security and development committees (JKKK), women’s bureaus, parent-teacher associations (PTA), sports and recreational clubs as well as nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) must ensure prudent management and spending of government grants.

“I often heard that when MRP grants were distributed in some longhouses, the residents simply decided to divide the funds equally among themselves and spend as they please.

“This defeats the purpose for which the grant is obtained, which is to be used for longhouse repair works and community activities.

“I therefore urge all tuai rumah (village chieftains) to have integrity and display good leadership by adhering to the 4T (Tegap, Teguh, Tegas and Taat) concept in making decisions,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Snowdan said the master plan for Balai Ringin town has been created which includes the development of more retail lots, recreational spaces, a waterfront, an information centre and parking bays for longdistance buses.

“This will add more convenience to traders, visitors and tourists along with the existing tamu (market),” he said.

He also informed that on March 10, he had presented MRP cheques totalling RM628,000 to 61 JKKKs, women’s bureaus, PTAs, clubs, churches and associations during a dialogue session at a longhouse near Balai Ringin.

Also speaking during the event were Temenggong Dato Harrison Lunsa and former Sri Aman Deputy Resident Elvis Didit, who is now an officer at the state Ministry of Transport.