Sikie (front, second right) joins others in waving the Jalur Gemilang during the ‘randau’ event in Kampung Dagang, Tatau. — Photo from Sarawak Public Communications Unit
BINTULU (Aug 22): The advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) today has somewhat created a boundary and limitation between people in terms of their interactions and social activities.
Having observed this, Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai said it could be a challenge for today’s generation to foster unity and collaboration towards the goal of becoming a caring community.
“For example, when we sit in a coffee shop, everyone is busy with their smartphones and most of the time, we don’t talk to each other.
“This is a social problem,” he said in his speech for the ‘Randau Solidariti Komuniti’ (RSK) for Kampung Dagang, at Masjid Darul Ibadah in Tatau near here on Saturday.
Sikie, who is Kakus assemblyman, believed that by holding this ‘randau’ (meeting of minds) programme, the people would be able to interact with one another, apart from bringing them closer to the relevant government agencies.
“Today’s programme aims to increase social communication awareness that focuses on community’s unity and public safety. It is run in cooperation between the stakeholders and the relevant strategic partners, namely the Neighbourhood Watch Committee (KRT) and the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN),” he said, stressing that unity and integration ‘are the main ingredients in achieving economic, social and political stability in a multi-racial country’.
“Unity does not come rolling. It needs to be nurtured in our community, right from a young age, so that its values can be practised throughout their lives.
“Through partnerships with social development agencies, solidarity forums, exhibitions by the relevant agencies and also solidarity sports, I believe that the participants would recognise the value and importance of good relationships so that quality relationships could be established between us regardless of gender, age, ethnicity and religion.
Sikie said with such high quality relationships, it would be easy for people to achieve shared understanding in order to strengthen social harmony in the community.
“When togetherness has become a culture, then it would be easier for us to deal with social issues and challenges in an integrated manner,” he elaborated.
The RSK for Kampung Dagang was the third series of the programme this year, following those conducted for Sebauh District on March 26, and Bintulu District on Aug 6.
Later at the event in Kampung Dagang, Sikie announced allocations of RM30,000 under his Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant for KRT Kampung Dagang, and RM30,000 for KRT Kampung Baharu in Tatau.