USE IT WELL: Wan Junaidi hands over an MRP grant to a recipient as Azmi (second left) and others look on.
LUNDU: A total of RM293,000 in minor rural grants (MRP) were dispersed to 71 organisations in the Tanjung Datu area of the constituency by Santubong MP Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar yesterday.
It included an emergency fund allocation totalling RM8,500 to six families: four victims of fire while two had houses damaged by strong wind.
Of the 71 associations, 45 bodies received a total RM149,500 under the special MRP ‘Touch Point’ programme while the remaining 26 organisations received RM135,000 in total under a special allocation from the Second Finance Minister, as promised during a Gawai Dayak closing ceremony (Ngiling Tikai).
“Financial grants for the people through various organisations and associations are important to help ensure the economic activities of the community remain active.
“When the government presents financial aid to numerous associations to support their activities, the whole community benefits through various financial transactions. And healthy economic activities throughout the country ensure the nation’s economy remain strong,” Wan Junaidi said before presenting the grants at the District Office’s community hall yesterday.
The Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker said this was part of the administrative system of the country that had enabled it to escape the 1987-1988 global recession.
Citing the example of a hike in petrol prices worldwide during the recession, Wan Junaidi said Malaysia managed to maintain a strong market price as a result of its administration.
“Only Brunei recorded a lower petrol price due to its bigger subsidy. But Brunei is one of the main oil producers with a much smaller population than our country’s,” he pointed out.
Also present at the ceremony was Lundu District Officer Azmi Bujang.