LUNDU: The Sarawak Government’s ongoing commitment to delivering services and information directly to rural people was once again demonstrated through the organisation of the Customer Day Programme organised by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS).
The programme, held on Saturday at the Kampung Biawak Multipurpose Hall, drew over 800 residents and offered a range of government agency services, serving as a platform for direct interaction between the community and the authorities.
UKAS Director, Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, said that initiatives such as this reflect the Sarawak Government’s continuous efforts to ensure that the people, regardless of geographical location, have access to authentic information and quality services.
“Kampung Biawak, which has 890 residents and 214 houses, is part of the rural community that is our focus in expanding the reach of the state’s development policies,” he said in his speech.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Lundu District Officer, Awang Yusup Awang Mostapha, representing the Opar Assemblyman, Billy Sujang.
Awang Putrayusrie urged the rural community to continue to utilise such platforms as a channel for feedback and interaction with government agencies.
“UKAS will continue to reach out to the people to ensure that every policy and aspiration of the Sarawak Government is understood and its impact is felt by all levels of society, without exception those in the rural areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Awang Yusup welcomed UKAS’ approach of bringing government agencies directly to the rural community.
“Programmes like this strengthen the people’s understanding of government policies and open up a space for them to voice their views and needs directly,” he said.
He also emphasised UKAS’ strategic role in channelling authentic and authoritative information, especially in the digital era which is fraught with the spread of fake news.
A total of 14 government agencies participated in this programme, including the Sarawak Agriculture Department, Lundu District Council, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), Sarawak Public Services Digitalisation Unit, Sarawak State Health Department, Royal Malaysian Police, National Registration Department, Social Welfare Department, Cocoa Research and Development Centre, SOCSO, EPF, i-CATS and UKAS itself.
The programme was also enlivened with various side activities such as a children’s colouring competition, interactive quizzes and engagement sessions which gave residents the opportunity to submit questions and suggestions directly.
This programme is part of UKAS’ outreach initiative to strengthen the relationship between the government and the people, in line with Sarawak’s vision of inclusive development.
