Entulu hits the gong to launch MUC logo and officiate at the dinner in the presence of Simon (fifth left), invited guests and exco members.
MIRI: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun refuted allegations that he was not able to use last year’s allocation of RM5 million for minor rural projects in his constituency Selangau.
He admitted delaying the disbursement of last year’s allocation as he wanted to announce it during the election period.
“Last year I purposely delayed disbursing the allocation because I wanted to announce it during the election. The moment I knew the election would not be held in 2017 we started disbursing the allocation in October. The allocation has been used up and projects are implemented and some completed. So there is no truth in the allegations,” he said when officiating at a dinner organised by the Miri United Club (MUC) on Friday night.
Also present were MUC chairman Simon Dawit and his deputy Rafael Dru as well as leaders of the various non-governmental organisations.
Entulu who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) deputy-president and Selangau MP said it was normal for allocations to be announced during election time.
At the function, he also announced RM50,000 for MUC to organise their proposed food fiesta in March to promote culture and tradition.
He also allocated RM10,000 towards the MUC dinner and raised RM5,000 by singing two songs at the function.
“I allocated RM50,000 for MUC because I strongly support any effort by the various sectors to promote our rich cultural heritage,” he said, adding that MUC was among the exemplary NGOs which nurture rich cultural heritage of the natives particularly in Miri.
“Our native languages in particular are in great danger of being extinct unless there is integrated effort to promote and conserve it,” he said.
Earlier Simon said MUC had organised various activities in line with their core objectives of promote concept of inclusiveness among the multi-racial members and the community since its inception in 2015.
Among them were Dayak Unity Summit in 2016 and the Gawai Dayak Bazaar with Dayak Association of Miri.
“This year, our dinner tonight themed ‘Malam Mesra dan Kebudayaan’ is among the six major activities planned.“
Others included Food Fiesta, Gawai celebration with the association of people with
special needs or OKU, blood donation, donations to disasters’ victims, and beach cleaning,” he said.
During the dinner attended by 200 people, there were cultural performance and singing with music and songs provided by OKU Association Miri, whose members were Paralympic athletes who won eight gold medals during the recent Malaysia Games (Sukma).