Govt grants must be used in accordance to its application

MULU: Government grants must always be utilised for the benefit of local communities, and must adhere to the objectives outlined in the fund applications.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, said that grants, including the Minor Rural Project (MRP) funds allocated to local associations or village committees, should not be treated as personal finances.

“The grants must be used according to the applications submitted, whether for upgrading village infrastructure like drainage systems, purchasing household equipment, or supporting annual association activities.

“I hope that the chairpersons, whether Tuai Rumah or association leaders, will explain the purpose of these grants to their members,” he said.

He said this in his speech while presenting cheques for MRP grants totaling RM295,800 to 37 recipients at the N78 Mulu Service Centre recently.

The beneficiaries included Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK), the Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS), and various associations within the Mulu constituency.

Also present were the Iban Community Leader of Marudi District, Pemanca Randie Bundan, chairperson of the SIDS Marudi Branch and Councillor Yanti Nyanggau.