SIBU: Religious bodies, non-governmental associations (NGOs), and schools which received fund assistance from the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), are advised to implement their projects according to their respective applications.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said there are a few cases where they use the funds to fund another project instead of the one that they applied for.
“We understand that sometimes when the committee, for instance, school committee, initially applies for project A but then after getting the fund, it had a meeting and found out that project B was more urgent. So, the allocation was used to fund project B.
“Yes, one can do that because you have the money with you. However, later when it applies for the fund again, it will apply for project A (which the project has already been allocated with the fund and is supposed to be completed).
“However, I think the most important thing is to provide a proper report on what has been done to the fund. It is part of their key performance indicator (KPI). The grants are state money. Hence, the people need to know where the money went,” he said.
Snowdan who is also Balai Ringin assemblyman said this when met by reporters after handing over 23 UNIFOR grants totalling RM2,716,530 to 23 schools under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sibu here yesterday.
He emphasised that previously there was no allocation as such but now it had been initiated and the Sarawak government under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leadership was the first to implement such an initiative.
“The state government understands the needs (of diverse people in Sarawak). I hope that if your organisation needs such assistance, please apply for it.
“I also hope that gradually, the allocation for UNIFOR will be increased year by year so that we can help more of those religious bodies, NGO, and schools in need,” he pointed out.
