Give special attention to poor Song District
Rina’s recent statement said that MRD will give special attention to give grants apart from collaborating with government agencies and departments to uplift the social status and the people’s economy.
KAPIT: The federal Ministry of Rural Development ( MRD) has been called on to give special attention to Song District, which has been listed as one of the 10 poorest districts in Malaysia.
Harapan Service Centre Katibas coordinator Paren Nyawi said he hoped the Pakatan Harapan federal government would not neglect the district, which requires special attention especially in terms of infrastructure development, salary increment, and education. He was commenting on Minister of Rural Development Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun’s statement that special attention would be given to the 28 poorest districts in Malaysia.
“Rina’s recent statement said that MRD will give special attention to give grants apart from collaborating with government agencies and departments to uplift the social status and the people’s economy,” said Paren.
“This will be in line with the determinations of a new Malaysia, which prioritise the people’s basic necessities and an effective delivery system by MRD, which wants to focus
Paren Nyawi, Harapan Service Centre Katibas coordinator
on the poorest districts in Malaysia.”
Paren cited Statistics Department figures which showed that out of the 10 poorest districts in Malaysia, seven were in Sarawak – Pakan, Song, Kanowit, Lubok Antu, Simunjan, Daro, and Selangau.
According to Paren, Song District, which comes under the Katibas constituency, is far behind in terms of basic infrastructure, with only 22 per cent of villages having 24-hour electricity supply, 71.2 per cent of villages still using river transportation, 9.6 per cent having treated water supply, and just 58 per cent with telecommunications facilities.
“It proves that the GPS ( Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government has failed to fulfil the younger generations’ aspirations in this district,” he added.