‘Projek Mesra’ to help needy in Tanjung Aru

KOTA KINABALU, July 6 (New Sabah Times) -- Tanjung Aru assemblyman, Edward Yong Oui Fah has launched a community project called “Projek Mesra” to help the needy in his constituency.

Yong who is the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing said poverty eradication had always been a priority of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

He stressed this when speaking at the launch of the project at the Tanjung Aru Plaza here yesterday.

Projek Mesra is an initiative of Yong aimed chiefly at assisting the underprivileged and elderly in Tanjung Aru.

“The Sabah BN government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman is a caring government that always has the welfare of the people at heart regardless whether they live in the urban or rural areas,” he said.

He pointed out that the Chief Minister had allocated funds through the state assemblymen to help the poor, widows, single mothers, physically disabled and also victims of natural disasters. The funds were increased from RM30,000 last year to RM50,000 this year.

Other than providing financial assistance the state government also offers training programmes to the rural communities to equip them with the relevant skills to improve income.

Edward went on to say that the federal government too had provided subsidies for the poor through the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in the form of susidised housing rental, school bus fares and school fees.

He assured that the government was doing its level best to eradicate poverty which deprived children of an education.

“Sometimes they may have to quit school due to poverty. The BN Government wants every child in this country to be given a chance to have an education because through education, one can improve his or her life and allow them to fulfill their dreams,” he said.

Yong pointed out that “Projek Mesra” included people of all race and religion and would provide assistance as long as the recipient was categorised as poor.

Yesterday, a total of 130 people benefited from the project. They were 60 students from SMK Sanzac Sembulan, SM La Salle Tanjung Aru, SM Stella Maris Tanjung Aru, SK Sembulan, Sembulan, SJK © Hwa Shiong Putatan, and SJK © Shan Tao.

The remainder were the elderly, widows and single mothers.

The students were each given RM200 which will be managed by the CIMB Bank and disbursed solely for their educational expenses.

Other recipients were given a token amount of RM100 and some essential goods.

Yong also hoped those under Projek Mesra will receive the attention of the Welfare Services Department.

All the recipients were selected by the various community leaders like the People Development Leader (PKR), JKKK chairmen and village heads.

Also present at the occasion were Edward’s wife, Mary Wong who is also the advisor for the project, Tanjung Aru PKR Leong Hock Phin, Shim Kon Ken, assistant director for the Chinese School Unit, Laudin Sundang, Area Retail Manager for CIMB Bank Bhd, and William Chu, Chairman of the KK Chinese Primary Schools Working Committee.