Ik Pahon (right) signs the integrity pledge held by Uggah (left), while Chang (second right) and others look on.
KUCHING: The Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development is serious in helping to eradicate poverty and reduce the income gap between urban and rural folk.
Its minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said these were among the ministry’s objectives, apart from wanting Sarawak to be a net food exporter by 2030.
“We are looking at transformation to produce in volume, quality, packaging and facilities. We have a lot to do in a short time,” he said when officiating at the ministry’s Integrity Day celebration at UCSI Hotel here yesterday.
He said the support from everyone was needed to achieve this.
On another note, he said there was also a need to send out accurate information to the people fast.
“With the wide use of social media like WhatsApp information is spread quickly but there are also people out there who misuse it to spread fake news to mislead the people.”
Uggah, who is also deputy chief minister, agreed that the Integrity Day should be held annually, not only in Kuching but also other places like Sibu, Miri and Betong so that the people would have the opportunity to get the latest information with regards to integrity.
The ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, meanwhile, hoped that the next Integrity Day would not be just listening to talks, but to include study trips.
The event was participated by 460 officers from the ministry and relevant agencies.
They read the integrity pledge, which was witnessed by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) senior officer Chang Ching.