MIRI: Many organisations, associations and bodies in Miri especially in Piasau and Pujut constituencies were shrouded with uncertainties and facing a dilemma in the financial aspect to run their activities for the next five years.
The financial resources especially development grants from minor rural project fund of elected representatives are now shrinking.
They used to receive financial assistance from the government through former Piasau and Pujut assemblymen Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Andy Chia respectively.
President of Miri Sepak Takraw Association, Samion Ghani disclosed that they used to receive financial assistance from Barisan Nasional (BN) government in term of grant to organise their activities and programmes.
“From now on, it would not be possible for us and we will not be asking for it from Democratic Action Party (DAP) or its assemblyman as we all know that they would not have the fund,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Samion said, they will be looking for the fund through fund raising activities for the association. They might also be seeking assistance from other BN representatives.
“We have to bear with the election result.
“It would be sad to see that there would be fewer activities for association due to financial constraint,” he added.
Declining to be identified, a chairman of an organisation here said, the opposition would not be able to provide the fund for more that 100 active organisations here in Miri.
“Without strong finances, I am sure that many associations are going or force to slow their pace in their activities compare to the previous year,” he added.
He added, some of the associations who used to receive grants from the government might resort to seeking for own funding.
He regretted that many associations which had received grants prior to the election were ungrateful to the government by voting the opposition.
“Although it is their right, but when looking at the help and assistance given by the government, they, I consider, are being ungrateful,” he added.
He said it was a pity that others were also dragged in because of their emotion and dissatisfaction of the government.
“Nobody is perfect … No government is perfect government,” he lamented.
The Borneo Post also contacted a number of Chinese organisations and bodies but they refused to give their comment and views on the issue.