We are studying issue for appropriate action plan: Uggah
KUCHING: Urban poverty is a growing problem. A close look at the issue reveals the downside of progress – a group that remains shackled by poverty in the midst of abundance.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah admitted to being “quite taken aback” when he learnt of a voluntary food kitchen set up by an organisation that has been feeding the urban poor on a daily basis.
“I did not expect this to be happening in our society, right here in the middle of the city when we are going digital and hoping to achieve a high income status by 2030.
“Yes, I was taken quite aback that this particular organisation has been feeding some 300 clients, most of them Ibans, everyday.
“I have learnt the clients are squatters, they squat near riverbanks and in places close to graveyards,” Uggah said when officiating at a fund-raising dinner organised by the Christ Baptist Church here.
Uggah, who also holds the portfolio of Minister-in-Charge of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), said from a church friend he also learnt that this friend of his has been reaching out to the city’s underprivileged group.
“Every weekend, she and her friends will organise a gathering somewhere in Tabuan for about 100, mainly Iban children.
“Now, the harsh reality is that while there are many fortunate Ibans who have better lives, have their own houses and their children are doing very well and able to compete with the rest of the communities in the city, there are those who continue to be shackled by poverty in the midst of the city’s abundance.
“These are the unfortunate ones, such as the squatters and their children who are victims of circumstances.
“Among these children, some are truants, some have drug-related or alcohol-related problems and some have livelihood issues…family issues.
“So, this lady and her group have been taking care of them, giving them food and bringing them closer to Christ in the hope that they will change and can have a much better future,” he said.
Uggah said he is taking a personal interest in this unfortunate development and has formed a committee of Iban community leaders tasked with identifying Kuching’s urban poor Ibans.
Members of the committee are now in the midst of identifying these urban poor Ibans.
“We have one Temenggong, one Pemanca, seven Penghulus and a number of Tuai Rumahs who are involved.
“We want them to identify those who need our help.We want to know their problems and how best we can help them,” he reiterated.
“For how long can that kitchen feed them?
“For how long can my church friend cook for them?
“Worst, today they number 300, if nothing concrete is done, that number is going to increase.
“So we are looking at the list to come up with the appropriate action plan.”
He said there are many facilities and programmes from both the government and the private sectors available to help them.
“For instance, we have aid programmes in agriculture, education, welfare and in business start-up.
“I would like for us all, including the churches, to pool our resources together to help them,” he said.
Uggah went on to commend the Christ Baptist Church for doing its part, especially in conducting kindergarten classes for the children of members and children of those who came to the church for help.
“You are doing a very noble job in preparing the young children to have better education.
“As it is, with better education one can have better quality of life later,”he said.
He suggested that the church extend its roles to helping members go into income-generating economic activities.
Towards this effort Uggah announced a RM30,000 grant to kick-start its fund-raising drive.
He also announced a grant of RM400,000 for the church to carry out its kindergarten extension project.
On another issue, Uggah called on the people to be vigilant against those with extreme racial or religious views.
“They will try to poison our minds and pit us against one another.
“Let us preserve at all cost the existing racial or religious harmony and unity that we have been enjoying.
“We have no destructive issues in the state so far. So, let us focus on strengthening our solidarity in helping our people and our state and country to be more progressive,” he said.
Among the notables at the dinner were Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Dagang and his wife Datin Rowena.
Playing host was dinner organising chairman Elder Jimbai Majang.
