LAWAS: A total of 348 asnaf recipients in Lawas received contributions amounting to RM400,000 during the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) Community Iftar 2026 programme held at Kampung Bukit Puan, Ulu Merapok, recently.
The presentation ceremony was officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and organised by the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) in collaboration with the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) as part of the agency’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The programme aimed not only to reach out to the asnaf group but also to strengthen ties between LCDA and the local community through social activities held in conjunction with the month of Ramadan.
In his speech, Awang Tengah expressed appreciation for the spirit of unity demonstrated by the local community, which comprises various ethnic groups including Kedayan, Brunei Malays, Lun Bawang and Tagal, who have consistently worked together in various community activities.
He said the harmony and close cooperation among the multi-ethnic community is an important strength in ensuring that rural development can continue to be implemented effectively.
At the same time, he encouraged residents to take advantage of the fertile land in the area for agriculture and food production activities that could help boost family incomes.
“The land in this area is very fertile and has great potential for development. Therefore, seize the available opportunities by cultivating the land productively and avoid any disputes or encroachment on government land,” he said.
He added that the government will continue implementing land surveying processes as long as there are applications from the public, to ensure that land ownership management can be carried out in a more systematic manner.
Meanwhile, he emphasised the importance of education as a key foundation for building a prosperous life, including academic knowledge, religious education and life management skills.
The event, attended by about 800 guests, was also enlivened with the Malam Tujuh Likur celebration, a traditional observance among the Kedayan community in Ulu Merapok held towards the end of Ramadan.
