KUCHING: State Budget 2015 will focus on rural development to enable the government and rakyat move in tandem.
Adenan (centres) shares a light moment with, (from left) Morshidi, Dr Chan, Teo and Masing when launching Infocast Kenyalang, or ‘iK’, at Imperial Hotel in Kuching last night. — Photo by Chimon Upon.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said last night that the rural areas were where the faith and support for the government lay, not in the urban areas.
“When the numbers are counted, the bias will be on the rural areas,” he said at Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains)’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) cum Media Night with the Chief Minister at Imperial Hotel here.
The Chief Minister added that, as such, the information about what the government wanted to do must be conveyed to the people in simple and clear terms.
“Communication is very important as the medium is the message in order to provide the people with clear,
accurate and relevant information that addresses the people’s concerns.
“Most of the good work done by the government had not been communicated well, thus making the people confused.
“This is the government’s weakness, which caused us to have problems with our dams.”
The government, Adenan said, had spent over RM1 billion to resettle many families affected by the development of hydro dams. This included the provision of facilities and complying with all international regulations.
“But all it takes is for some trouble makers and agitators to instigate the public because we fail to give proper explanations. This had thus given us a bad name on the international front.
“I strongly believe that Sains and the Infocast Kenyalang (iK) Digital Media Channel can play a vital role as key channel of communication in bringing the government closer to the rakyat.”
Adenan, who launched the iK Digital Media Channel themed ‘Bridging Sarawak Government Closer to the Rakyat’ during the gathering, revealed it was currently displayed at nearly 100 sites throughout the state.
The aim of the communication channel is to disseminate relevant information to the people, including updates on government projects and activities, announcements, documentaries, educational materials, information sharing, and event reporting.
“I strongly urge all government agencies to work with Sains and make use of this new channel to reach out to the rakyat to bring important information to them, not only information that we want to them to know but also what they want to know.
“Don’t let the rakyat feel they are mere spectators (of government projects and activities). I want them to feel they are participants.”
Also present were Sains chief executive officer Dato Teo Tien Hong, Sains chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani.