KUCHING: The Sarawak government has emphasised the urgent need to adopt a ‘No More Silo’ approach in the implementation of community-based initiatives, stressing that fragmented efforts were no longer sufficient to meet the growing needs of diverse local communities.
Sarawak Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah called for a shift towards a Whole-of-Government collaboration model, one that united ministries, government agencies and stakeholders under a shared mission to strengthen grassroots unity.
She said only through comprehensive, cross-agency cooperation could the state fully optimise its resources, expertise and opportunities to deliver meaningful impact.
“The time has come for us to embrace a ‘No More Silo’ mindset. A Whole-of-Government approach ensures that every ministry and agency moves in harmony, allowing us to deploy our collective strengths more effectively for the benefit of the people,” she said.
Her text speech was read by her deputy minister, Datuk Rosey Yunus, at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Rukun Tetangga (RT) organised by the Ministry of National Unity, Department of National Unity & National Integration Sarawak, at Penview Convention Centre yesterday.
The minister emphasised that strong intergovernmental cooperation was crucial, particularly in unity-related initiatives involving RT, Skim Rondaan Sukarela (SRS), Tabika Perpaduan, Taska Perpaduan, Kelab Rukun Negara (KRN) and the Sekretariat Rukun Negara (SRN), which collectively formed the backbone of Sarawak’s grassroots harmony building efforts.
With more than 1,095 Rukun Tetangga areas established in Sarawak, Fatimah highlighted the critical role of community volunteers and leaders, describing them as the bridge between the government and the people and the ‘unsung heroes’ who upheld social cohesion on the ground.
The adoption of a Whole-of-Government strategy, she added, represented a major step toward creating resilient, empowered and united communities, reflecting Sarawak’s vision of harmony within diversity.
“The Sarawak state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these programmes especially in terms of funding, coordination, and policy alignment, to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of unity building efforts across the state,” she said.
The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of RT, an institution that has played a vital role in strengthening unity and national integration since 1975.
The Golden Jubilee Celebration of RT is held as a recognition and appreciation of the achievements and contributions of the RT service throughout its 50-year journey.
Accordingly, the celebration is being implemented at all levels, including the national, state, district and divisional levels, as well as at the grassroots through the various RT areas (KRT).
At yesterday’s event, the Ministry of National Unity also introduced a new logo and slogan for KRT to reinforce their identity and roles in fostering national unity at the grassroots level. The old logo, which had been used since 2005, has been replaced with a fresher, more modern and symbolically meaningful design, aligned with the new theme: ‘Memperkasa Komuniti, Mengukuh Perpaduan’.
Apart from that, other programmes included presentation of the KRT Appreciation Awards for Kuching, Samarahan and Serian, which categories were Longest-Established KRT; Most Outstanding KRT; Most Outstanding Female Neighbour; Most Outstanding Youth Neighbour and Most Active SRS.
The KRT recipients for Longest Established KRT (KRT Kenyalang Park, Kuching; KRT Kampung Meranek, Samarahan and KRT Taman Anggerek Indah, Serian), Most Outstanding KRT (KRT Kampung Sinar Budi Lama, Kuching; KRT Kampung Tambirat Lot, Samarahan and KRT Kampung Bunga Siantan A & Siantan B, Serian); Most Outstanding Female Neighbour (KRT Kampung Suba Bandar, Sibu; KRT Kampung Melayu, Samarahan and Kampung Hilir, Serian); Most Outstanding Youth Neighbour (KRT Taman Indah Landeh, Kuching; KRT Kampung Beliong Melayu, Samarahan and KRT Kampung Tun Razak Triboh, Serian) and Most Active SRS (SRS Sungai aMong, Kuching; SRS Kampung Moyan Laut, Samarahan and SRS Kampung Tun Razak Triboh, Serian).
Throughout its establishment, RT has undergone significant evolution, beginning with the concepts ‘Keselamatan melalui rondaan wajib; ‘Kejiranan’ introduced in 1984; ‘Pembangunan Komuniti’ (2001); ‘Model 4 Transformasi Rukun Tetangga’ (2010 ) and ‘Inisiatif Pemerkasaan Rukun Tetangga Progresif’ (2024) (or translated to English security-focused mandatory patrol concept, the Neighbourliness concept introduced in 1984, the Community Development concept (2001), the Rukun Tetangga Transformation Model(2010) and the Progressive Rukun Tetangga Empowerment Initiative (2024)).
Today, a total of 8,529 KRT have been established across Malaysia, with 1,095 in Sarawak alone.
These areas serve as the backbone of efforts to nurture neighbourliness, strengthen unity and ensure the well-being of local communities. These figures represent more than mere numbers, they symbolise the strength of grassroots networks that continuously work together in solidarity to advance the national unity agenda.
“The Sarawak state government has always provided strong support, particularly in the aspects of unity through RT areas, Tabika, and Taska Perpaduan, reflecting the close cooperation between the Sarawak state administration and the federal government.
“As the minister responsible for the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, I remain committed to supporting KRT, Tabika and Taska Perpaduan, ensuring they continue to receive the necessary attention and financial support to fulfil their responsibilities in safeguarding and strengthening unity in Sarawak.
“Unity efforts through KRT, Skim Rondaan Sukarela (SRS), Tabika, TASKA Perpaduan, Kelab Rukun Negara (KRN), and Sekretariat Rukun Negara (SRN) form a strong chain that complements one another in building harmony within Sarawak’s diversity. These initiatives touch every age group, from children, youth, and adults to senior citizens, making unity not merely a policy but a way of life for the people of Sarawak,” she said.
Also present at the event, Department of National Unity & National Integration Sarawak director, Dirwana Azool, deputy director Giri Anak Nyareng, and others.
