Asking for ‘protection money’ must stop — Dr Abdul Rahman

KUCHING: The practice of requesting ‘protection money’ from developers of projects in villages must stop.

Pantai Damai assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the practice was among the issues to be discussed at a constituency-level seminar on integrity tomorrow (Sunday).

“It is a continuous issue in the implementation of development projects in villages when people start asking for ‘protection money’. This is related to integrity, and this is why we are holding this seminar,” he told a press conference yesterday on the Integrity Practise in Community Leadership Seminar for Pantai Damai constituency.

“Asking for ‘protection money’ must stop because it can affect the image and quality of each project and government service to the people,” he stressed.

He said another issue related to integrity involved the distribution of aid.

Dr Abdul Rahman said the seminar to be held at the Yayasan Sarawak Auditorium is meant to ensure that integrity would be put into practice from grassroots level.

Organised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Pantai Damai, it is a continuation of a similar seminar held at state-level last year.

“We are targeting 280 people who are community leaders, headmen, non- government organisations, government and private staff among others at the half day seminar,” he said. Two working papers will be presented by representatives of the Malaysia Anti- Corruption Commission and police.

The highlight will be the taking of the integrity oath.

Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg is scheduled to close the event.