Awang Tengah (front, ninth left) and Tan (front, 10th left) together with recipients of the CNY goodies.
LAWAS: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan calls upon all quarters to play their role in ensuring that the less-fortunate individuals are given the assistance needed.
Speaking at a ceremony to present Chinese New Year goodies to about 100 people here yesterday, he reminded all that there are still poor people in this district who are in need of help from the government or the private sector.
However, Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development and Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, called on the Lawas District Council and Welfare Department to ensure that only those eligible would be given welfare aid.
“Efforts must be continued to register those who are eligible for the different aid categories – single mother, senior citizens, orphans or the disabled,” he added.
He said community leaders and relevant government agencies should help identify these target groups so that they could benefit from the assistance.
On the coming Chinese New Year, he said it helps to promote interaction and harmony between the communities in the district.
“In Malaysia, Chinese New Year celebration is also celebrated together with other communities just like other festivities, making it a celebration for all,” he added.
Awang Tengah, who is also Bukit Sari assemblyman, was touched and happy to see many familiar faces among the elderly guests at the function, including those whom he had known since his childhood days.
On Community-based Rehabilitation Centre (PDK) Lawas, he said it is expected to be operational soon and would be equipped with the necessary facilities and trained manpower in education of children with special needs.
“It already has its own building with an environment conducive to learning, and teachers with skills and patience in educating children with special needs,” he added.
Later, Awang Tengah was surrounded by many elderly Chinese aid recipients including a 90-year-old from Sundar Sub-District and another, in her 80s, from Trusan, who were just happy to catch up with him and relate stories of the old days.
He was simply ‘Awang Tangah’ to them.
Also present at the function were Pemanca Tan Yong H’ng and SUPP Lawas chairman Liaw Ho Peng.