SRI AMAN: Some former officers of Agriculture Department have been found attempting to mislead the people by claiming they still have the authority to approve subsidy or project applications.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said he was alerted to such ruse when attending a meeting with officers from the Sri Aman Division Agriculture Office here today.
Joining him were Bukit Begunan assemblyman Datuk Mong Dagang, Simanggang assemblyman Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Lingga assemblywoman Simoi Peri and the department deputy director Ngap Dollah Salam.
The meeting was to review the progress in the implementation of projects under the Agricultural Facilitation Fund (AFF) in Sri Aman.
“Today I had a meeting where this issue was raised by Francis.
“The allegation was some former officers of the department are distributing subsidy application forms. We do not know what their intention is.
“But we believe they are trying to mislead the people into supporting them in the coming election,” he said.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development, stressed that any former officers of the department no longer has a right to distribute such forms purportedly to help the farmers.
“If they do, they will have no authority to approve any project or subsidy applications of the department.
“It is sad that they continue to mislead the people into thinking they have such authority.
“So we would like to remind the people that only serving officers are distributing the genuine forms,” he said.
He mentioned that the groups including those in the opposition were envious of the commitment of the government in helping the farming community.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, he said, was now taking very firm steps to increase the income of farmers, breeders and fishermen.
“It is our objective to raise the income of each family to RM4,000 per month. We are now coming up and implementing strategies and programmes towards this direction,” he added.
Earlier, Uggah also attended a meeting on the government’s plan to build a new Civics Centre here.
He said a 3.11 hectare site at Astana Road in the town centre had been identified and approved by the Sarawak Planning Unit.
“We will have a meeting soon with the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on the construction cost,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old current Civics Centre would not be demolished. Instead, it would be renovated and upgraded.
He said a sum of RM7 million had been approved for the purpose.
