SEMPORNA: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Haji Abdal thanked the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) for announcing a RM89 million allocation for RISDA smallholders in Sabah this year.
Shafie said the aid was for smallholders, agriculture sector and rubber estates here and it would come in various forms not only in fertilizers, seedlings and management.
He said the amount was among the biggest allocation among the states in the country.
Shafie, who is also the Semporna member of parliament, disclosed this during RISDA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution in Semporna yesterday.
“Today we also have the opportunity to give contribution to our school children at school who need support for their schooling,” he said.
At the function, RISDA contributed RM150,000 to 50 schools in Semporna, MARA Education Foundation contributed RM170,000 in form of RM1,000 cash and 1,000 bags, and Semporna Foundation contributed RM119,000 in the form of RM100 cash and 700 bags.
“This means today we gave aid to almost 1,700 students and apart from that it is to encourage them in their studies,” he said.
Shafie also said the role of parents is very important and parents should make time to see their children go to school and study.
Also present at the function were Senalang assemblyman Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran, Sulabayan assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sambakong, RISDA director general Datuk Seri Wan Mohamad Zuki Mohamad, MARA Education Foundation chairman Datuk Yusoff Dohab, RISDA deputy director-general Datuk Mohamat Muda, RISDA member of authority Haji Mohd Zahari Mohd Zinin and Semporna district officer Dr Chacho Bulah.