SELANGAU: Some 1,000 heads of households here receive their food assistance under the People’s Protection and Economic Recovery Package (Pemulih).
The food aids from the federal government are aimed to ease the burden of those households affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Selangau district.
Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick officiated at the symbolic handing over of the food aid at the Selangau district office here on Thursday.
Speaking at the ceremony she said, “Recipients who are not able to attend the ceremony and receive their food aid today will get it from their respective community leaders.”
The distribution of the food aid from the federal government will be done with the help of non-government organisations (NGOs), she added.
“For Tamin constituency, the aid will be distributed through the Bintulu Customary Land Preservation and Development Association (Mentas),” the senator pointed out.
As for Kakus constituency, Rita said the food aid would be handled by Dayak Oil Palm Planters Association of Sarawak (Doppa).
The food aid consists of rice, cooking oil, sugar, salt, tea, biscuits, instant noodles, sauces, canned food and others.
At the ceremony on Thursday, a total of 45 recipients in Tamin and Kakus areas were given minor rural project (MRP) grants worth RM531,000.
These were special grants for Selangau parliamentary constituency area from the Sarawak government, she said.
“The Sarawak government aims to help everyone and hopes to get the same allocation next year from the federal government to help the community here.
“All of you must be patient as it is understood the allocation might not be sufficient to cater for the necessity in an area but priority is given to the development and security committees (JKKKs) in any area that need more help,” Rita said.
MRP recipients from Tamin and Kakus are grateful towards the state and federal governments for providing the grants in developing and improving their communities.
Also present at the symbolic handover of the food aid and the MRP cheques were Selangau district officer Inting Nyami, Selangau district’s community leader Pemanca Mathew Ganggang and community leaders from Selangau district.
