KUDAT, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- The integrated Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat Programme plays an important role in ensuring that communities in rural and remote areas are not left behind in accessing quality government services, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
He said the programme, which follows a “four-in-one” concept, serves as a one-stop centre bringing together 34 federal and state government agencies under the Mobile Community Services (MCS) initiative.
He said the initiative, held in the Tanjong Kapor state constituency today, made it easier for rural and remote residents to access government services without traveling to town centres or different offices to handle official matters.
“This approach allows the public to access key government agencies directly at one time and in one location, particularly departments that do not have physical branch offices at district level,” he told reporters here tonight.
Earlier, he attended the programme’s closing ceremony, officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Armizan said the initiative received an encouraging response, with members of the public arriving at the venue as early as 8 am, even though service counters were scheduled to open at 11 am.
“Among the services that drew the most interest was the fast-track counter operated by the Land and Survey Department (JTU NIC), where residents could check and correct errors in names and identity card numbers on land titles free of charge, with the process taking no more than an hour,” he said.
The programme also offered free official document attestation by Justices of the Peace volunteers through the Sabah Justices of the Peace Council (MAJAPS), reducing expenses for residents who would otherwise have to pay a Commissioner for Oaths.
Armizan said the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Secretariat was using the programme to update Program Syukur recipient profiles and develop effective poverty intervention plans, with the latest state government data showing that 14,001 heads of household in the Kudat parliamentary constituency received RM200 a month in assistance.
“Recipients in the Tanjong Kapor state constituency receive three months’ assistance totalling RM600 at once, while their data is also reviewed to track changes in their socioeconomic status and help them escape poverty,” he said.
The programme also included the Rahmah Madani Sales Programme to help reduce the cost of living, alongside the Jom Malaysia Carnival (Buy Local Products), which aimed to promote local community products and expand their market reach.
Armizan expressed hope that the integrated initiative could be expanded to other rural and remote state constituencies across Sabah to narrow gaps in access to services and allow the public to engage directly with government leaders.
-- BERNAMA