Two ministers pay pre-Gawai visit to longhouse in Paku

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Uggah and Fatimah (fourth and fifth right) in a photo-call at the longhouse in Sungai Pelandok. Rentap is at third right and Robert, right.

BETONG: A longhouse at Sungai Pelandok in Paku near here received visits from two state ministers on Friday.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; and Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah came down to the longhouse to officiate at the launch of the ‘Sejambak Kasih’ welfare programme that day.

Additionally, 150 villagers received aid in connection with the coming Gawai Dayak celebration.

Fatimah told reporters yesterday that 31,706, or 55.72 per cent, of the welfare aid recipients from across the state would receive donations for Gawai Dayak.

“From January to April this year, the state Welfare Department had channelled more than RM63.602 million to 56,900 people who are recipients of the welfare aid from the government. This aid is used to help the poor and the needy across the state,” she added.

Fatimah said the number of people receiving aid from the government appeared to be increasing every year – there were 56,621 recipients in 2015, 57,047 last year, and 56,900 as at April this year.

Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu, former Bukit Saban assemblyman Robert Lawson Chuat and local community leaders were among those present at the Sejambak Kasih programme.

Fatimah (front, fifth right) with the local womenfolk during the Sejambak Kasih event at Sungai Pelandok in Paku.