Rural residents must continue striving to improve their living standards

Joachim (middle) during the event

11 December 2024

RANAU: Rural residents must continue to work towards enhancing their living standards through participation in courses organised at the village level.

The Deputy Chief Minister II and also the State Assemblyman for Kundasang, Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam made this statement during the inauguration of the Soy Processing Machine Handing Over Ceremony at the Kampung Langsat Village Hall, Ranau, on December 10.

Dr. Joachim, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Housing, expressed appreciation to the trainers from the SNS Enterprise Training Centre, Siti Noraida Michael Abdullah, and the Sabah Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) under the Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MIDE), for providing the soy processing machine.

The Tofu and Soy Milk Processing Course, which lasted for two days, was attended by 30 participants consisting of housewives and single mothers in the B40 category.

According to Dr. Joachim, this initiative is part of the government's ongoing efforts to eradicate extreme poverty among the people, especially in the Kundasang state assembly area.

“The recently presented 2025 budget by the Sabah Minister of Finance also focuses on various special assistance that will be provided to the people next year. However, only those who meet certain criteria will be eligible to receive this assistance,” he said.

He also encouraged residents of the Langsat PDM to continue working to improve their family's economic status. Those interested in using the soy processing machine can contact the DIDR or the Kundasang Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) for further action.

Siti Noraida also shared that the next course will focus on hydroponic planting methods and food preparation processes.

Also present at the event were Dr. Joachim's Private Secretary, Japili Sami; Community Development Leader (PPM), Dounis Sani; Langsat Village Head, Daimin Ikos Abdullah; staff and Task Force from the Kundasang UPPM; as well as Chairpersons of the Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) from Kampung Debut, Kampung Kirokot, and Kampung Singgaron Baru.

On another programme, Dr. Joachim attended a luncheon with the Ranau District branch of the Malaysian Education Service Retirees Association in Kampung Liwagu, in addition to visiting Kampung Pinolobu and Kampung Kinasaraban.