SIBU: The ‘gotong-royong’ project in Nangka constituency received an overwhelming response yesterday with folks from all walks of life joining in the upkeep of the villages.
People turned up in full force in support of the programme and did their bid to keep the constituency spick and span.
Temenggong Vincent Lau was also present in the community project as he joined villagers in cleaning up the place.
The ‘gotong-royong’ started at Surau Darul Jannah at 8am where folks gathered there to join the community project.
“This year, we spread out the project for a duration of two weeks. Today (yesterday) being the second week involves three zones, namely Kampung Datu Baru, Nangka, Abang Barieng, Kampung Bandong, Kampung Jeriah and Kemuyang,” Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee said.
He added that there were three gathering points at Surau Darul Jannah, Kampung Jeriah and Kemuyang.
The community project in Nangka constituency was organised by Nangka community secretariat (Spekna) in collaboration with Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Nangka village development and security committee (JKKK) and other NGOs as well as government agencies.
Dr Annuar reckoned that by spreading it out they would overcome the problem of collecting bulk refuse, which they faced last year.
“The ‘gotong-royong’ will last until the end of next week; we have staggered it to facilitate refuse collection. We don’t want heaps of rubbish to be left there as that could pose a health problem later.”
He added that this was part of the yearly project that started last year.
“The ‘gotong-royong’ gathers villagers together through JKKKs and KRTs, building close rapport and fostering neighbourly spirit among them,” he said.
He said his service centre also gave out six wheel chairs.
Dr Annuar and Lau later moved on to Kampung Jeriah for a similar function.