PKD Mobile expanded to benefit S’wak rural communities, says deputy minister

MIRI (Aug 11): The Rural Community Centre (PKD) Mobile programme in Niah near here yesterday received an encouraging response from the local residents who had the opportunity to obtain information on services offered by the government.

The programme under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) involved 21 government departments and private agencies.

According to deputy minister Datuk Rubiah Wang, the PKD Mobile programme was an effort by the ministry to bring services offered by both state and federal government agencies, as well as the private sectors.

“We are expanding the programme to the rural areas and we call it ‘Mini PKD Mobile’, and in future, we will hold more of such Mini PKD Mobile, especially in Sabah and Sarawak,” she said.

Rubiah said this at a press conference after officiating at the PKD Mobile programme at Sepupok community hall in Niah yesterday.

Also present were Deputy Health Minister Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni; Miri Resident Jamalie Busri; Subis District officer Norlila Uli;s and KKDW Community Economic Development Division secretary Mohd Sabri Ramly.

Earlier in her speech, Rubiah disclosed that KKDW is currently focusing on offering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for youths in the rural areas.

“We have an annual allocation of RM6.8 billion for the operation of 1,375 TVET institutions, and under KKDW we have a total of 280 TVET institutions.

“KKDW currently offers TVET courses and institutions such as GiatMara, for example, take in TVET participants with the most basic qualifications because we do not want to leave out any youths from the rural areas,” she said, adding that this was part of the ministry’s efforts to produce skilled local workforce.