Bekenu, Betong RTCs to remain open even without federal funding — Uggah
MIRI: The Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Bekenu andBetong will continue their operations despite not receiving funds from the federal government.
In giving this assurance, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas disclosed that both RTCs had not received federal funds since the beginning of this year.
“These RTCs were (run) under the federal Ministry of Rural Development.
“In view of the change in the federal government, we have been informed that for Sarawak, they ( Putrajaya) would not be providing the funds any more – beginning this year.
“So, they said they handed it over to the state government,” he told reporters after officiating at the opening ceremony of ‘ Pertandingan Seni Suara dan Gaya Burung Kicau Seantero Borneo’ – a bird- singing competition – in Bekenu near here yesterday, where Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni and Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus were also present.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said the Sarawak government acknowledged the federal government’s decision on the RTCs and during the last Sarawak cabinet meeting, it approved an annual allocation of RM380,000 for the maintenance of these RTCs.
“The reason is because RTC is a very important feature in the rural areas because many services are available there and all this while, it has benefitted many people,” he said, reiterating that the Bekenu and Betong RTCs would remain operational.
Meanwhile, the bird- singing competition was organised and ran by Kelab Pencinta Burung Kicau Miri ( Pekicau Miri), in collaboration with Subis District Office, Subis District Council and Bekenu State Constituency Service Centre.
It attracted some 600 local and international entries.
In this respect, Uggah commended the initiative by Pekicau Miri, encouraging its president Mohamad Azahar Bujang to expand the club’s signature event further to other divisions.
“I am very impressed by this competition, which has gathered bird lovers not only from Sarawak but also from neighbouring countries like Brunei and Indonesia, making it a very attractive product for tourism development in Sarawak.
“Therefore, I would like to have this competition be organised in other parts of the state,” he said, acknowledging that the event also served to educate bird lovers in Sarawak the art of ‘burung kicau’ ( bird chirping), as well as proper way to care for these birds.
“This competition also helps prevent youths from engaging in unhealthy activities,” said Uggah.
On a separate matter, Uggah encouraged the rural farming folk, especially those involved in oil palm plantation, to diversify their crops.
“The state government is committed to assisting farmers in the planting of various agricultural produce, including fruits and vegetables. We are also encouraging the rural folk to take up ‘ kelulut’ ( stingless bee) and cattle farming,” he said, assuring farmers that his ministry would organise for them many activities, slated for this year.
Later at the event, Uggah announced an allocation of RM20,000 to Pekicau Miri for it to run future activities.