Sarawak CM wants new community leaders to be better equipped

SARIKEI: Sarawak's new crop of community leaders would be better equipped for their jobs if they have at least diploma level qualification, according to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
To this end, he said the Institute for Rural Development (INFRA) set up by the federal government would take in its first intake when it starts operating next year.
"The campus in Samarahan in Kuching will have among others, a hostel that can accommodate 200 people. This is another fine example of the cooperation between the state and federal governments through the NBOS," he told the media after launching the state first NBOS festival here today.
Meanwhile, he said the diplomas would be conferred by Kolej Universiti AgroSains (University College of Agro Science Malaysia/ UCAM) and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)
Earlier in his speech, he said the state government had set aside a sum of RM100 million to establish the new divisional state administration headquarters known as the Wisma Sarikei.
"Sarikei is fast progressing and expanding. It certainly needs a modern administrative centre with the latest ICT facilities to reflect its growing importance and to deliver the best of services," he said.
For the people, he said the state government too would spend RM11 million for the Susur Jambu Housing area extension programme to accommodate the growing population.
Recognising the potential of Sarikei as a state food basket, Abang Johari said agricultural product collection centres would be created here and in Tanjung Manis to help farmers market their products overseas.
He said the government would purchase a cargo plane to transport the products. — Bernama