Fatimah: ‘Sumbangsih’ programme to continue

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Fatimah (centre) shows the packages for distribution, as Rosey (right), Zamrose (third right) and others look on.

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is committed to continue with its ‘Sumbangsih Gawai-Raya’ programme for security forces and enforcement agencies even though the state is now administered by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) which is the opposition at the federal level.

Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the programme had been held annually since 1990 to prepare and present festive cakes to personnel of security forces and enforcement agencies serving during the Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya celebrations.

She said this was done to appreciate the sacrifices of personnel who had to be away from their families and loved ones during the festive celebrations to maintain peace and order in the state.

According to her, the programme started in 1990 by giving away festive cakes to the police and armed forces personnel. Following the upgrading of Women’s Bureau to Family and Women Department (JWKS) on Jan 15 2015, the programme was extended to 10 enforcement and security agencies.

“The Sarawak government has spent RM210,000 for the ‘Sumbangsih Gawai-Raya’ this year, or RM26.40 per box of cakes due to the rise in cost of five per cent, compared to the RM200,000 spent in 2018,” she said when officiating at 2019 Sumbangsih Gawai-Raya at Dewan Bukavu in Kem Penrissen here yesterday.

Each box contains 100g Kek Hati Parek, fruit cake (100g), Serunding or meat floss (50g), Maruku (50g) and Kacang Ikan Bilis or anchovies and peanuts (100g).

Just as in previous years, Fatimah said the number of boxes was 8,000 asd those involved in supplying the items were Federation of Sarawak Women’s Associations, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs, Helwa Hikmah, Koperasi Wanita Sarawak and Persatuan Kek Lapis Sarawak.

The 10 agencies receiving the contributions were the armed forces, police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Fire and Rescue Department, Prison Department, Sarawak Immigration Department, Customs Department, Road Transport Department, Civil Defence Force and Rela.

On another matter, Fatimah said JWKS Market Place is offering discounts up to 20 per cent for those who purchase items through this platform.

She said JWKS Market Place, along with JWKS Community and JWKS Helpline, are platforms on ePrenuer Wanita mobile application launched by the chief minister in conjunction with International Women’s Day on March 9 this year.

Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus, commander of Eastern Field Command Lt Gen Datuk Wira Zamrose Mohd Zain and senior officers representing the receiving agencies were also present at the event.