LUBOK ANTU: The Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) receiving funds under the MADANI Community Prosperity Programme (SejaTi) must ensure that their economic projects are sustainable.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof urged JKKKs within the same district to select diverse projects.
“Do not apply for the same type of project across the district. Let there be variety to ensure broader benefits.
“If everyone does the same, competition will arise, and the projects may not last due to unproductive rivalry,” he said during the Cheque Replica Handover Ceremony for the SejaTi MADANI Programme for the Lubok Antu District at the local sports complex yesterday.
He explained that Sarawak was allocated RM100 million to empower JKKKs following the federal government’s allocation of RM1 billion under the SejaTi MADANI Programme, which provides grants of up to RM100,000 per community.
“Through these grants, 1,024 JKKKs in Sarawak have benefitted, with 1,124 projects approved.
“The goal is to boost local community economic activities focusing on five key sectors: agriculture and food, sewing and handicrafts, herbs and health, tourism and hospitality, as well as green initiatives and recycling,” he said.
In Lubok Antu, the government is emphasising red tilapia fish farming through the SejaTi MADANI Programme.
The Petra Jaya Member of Parliament added that eight JKKKs in the Lubok Antu District have been approved for SejaTi MADANI funds amounting to RM723,675.
“The most common economic empowerment projects include red tilapia fish farming, catfish farming, and poultry farming, with six projects approved.
“Meanwhile, three other projects involve smart agriculture for vegetable and maize cultivation, and two others are in the tourism and hospitality sector.
“I hope these funds will help JKKKs generate income and further enhance the local community’s socio-economic development, aligning with the MADANI government’s vision to serve the people and ensure their well-being is maintained and protected,” he added.
Also present were the Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry, and Investment, Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, who is also Batang Ai state assemblyman; Lubok Antu Member of Parliament Roy Angau Gingkoi; and director of the Sarawak State Development Office Jasni Jubli.
