KUCHING: There is no need for Community Development Department (Kemas) staff to assist or be involved in any way with any political party, says Deputy Minister of Rural Development Sivarasa Rasiah.
He stressed that the ministry, under the new federal government, wants to ensure that the department would focus on its ‘core business’, which is early childhood education.
“They (Kemas staff) must focus on that (early childhood education).
Sivarasa responds to questions posed by reporters. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
“We give option to Kemas staff members who still want to have involvement with any political party – that they either choose politics, or Kemas,” he told reporters here after paying a courtesy call on Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the latter’s office in DUN Complex yesterday.
Sivarasa observed that in the past, Kemas had been used by certain political parties for their own agenda.
“We have terminated the service of Kemas employees in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak who, as we have found out, have had interactions with political parties,” he said.
On allegation that Kemas no longer provides assistance to Sarawak government after the change of the federal government following the outcome of 14th general election, Sivarasa regarded it as ‘just a misunderstanding’.
“There is no such thing,” he said.
On matters discussed with Uggah during the courtesy call, Sivarasa said they touched on the rural development approach in Sarawak, particularly concerning elevation of incomes as well as basic amenities such as water and electricity supply and roads.
“With Sarawak having allocated substantially-increased sum, I think the potential to make some real changes is there.
“What’s important about today’s meeting is that we have agreed to do continuous engagements, regular meetings and so on,” said the federal deputy minister.