Call for multi-sector effort to empower rural community
Sunday, 17 October 2004 (Source:Bernama)

KOTA MARUDU: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili has called for a multi-sector collaborative effort to train and equip rural folk with education and technical skills.

This is to provide the platform for a change in mindset among the rural people in order to improve themselves and not become dependent on government assistance.

"Economic development is not the sole responsibility of the government. The inculcation and promotion of self-reliance spirit among rural communities require intervention of the government, support of the private sector and encouragement from Non-Governmental Organisations," he said.

Speaking to a unity programme organised by the newly set up Samparita neighbourhood committee (RT), some 50km from here, Ongkili who is Kota Murudu MP said rural folk need knowledge and technical skills especially in agriculture and cottage industries.

"This knowledge and skills will enable them to upgrade themselves through economic and technological changes," he said.

He urged members to be always united and committed to the goal of empowering the community through mindset change and self-help programmes.

This can be done by pooling together resources of the people through activities such as gotong-royong and cooperative initiatives.

"Gotong-royong can be a powerful tool for rural change even among the poor because it facilitates the pooling of resources and thereby empower otherwise marginalised groups to help chart their own economic destiny," he said.

Samparita RT is one of 13 newly set up RT in Kota Murudu district.

The inaugural function also saw distribution of food to 40 elderly members of the community recently.

Ongkili commended voluntary organisations like Mercy Malaysia and other NGO's who contributed to rural development by providing services to the poor or less fortunate."

Mercy Malaysia volunteers comprising four medical doctors and nurses were in Samparita Saturday and Sunday to provide medical treatment as well as conduct health seminars to women groups.