SIBU: More people from the rural areas are now migrating to the towns and cities for greener pastures or to enjoy better facilities.

In view of that many newcomers are in need of help in many aspects.

And the least the established ones from the same village or longhouse could do is extend help socially, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Larry Sng said Saturday.

Sng made the remarks when launching Kelab Kebajikan Anak-Anak Daerah Song dan Kapit (KKADSK), a club for residents from Song and Kapit who are here.

The event, held at Sibu Jaya Multi-Purpose Hall, was also attended by Sng’s wife May Ting, former MP for Sri Aman Jimmy Donald, president of Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) Sidi Munan, two co-advisors of KKADSK Councillor Munan Laja and Chua Kim Hui, KKADSK pro tem president Nelson Ngalang Ajan and other committee members.

“As such, I view the formation of KKADSK as a good and promising attempt at extending social and welfare assistance to members or new members who come from rural areas of Kapit and Song districts but are now settled in Sibu due to work, education, businesses or other reasons.

“In fact everywhere, the scenario is that more people migrate from the rural areas to the urban centres day by day.

“Hence the formation of this type of club can contribute meaningfully to guiding and helping newcomers intending to settle down amidst a new and challenging urban lifestyle, different from that in the rural areas,” he added.

The assistant minister said such clubs could also rally or pool members resources to help other members who might face challenging times during unfortunate events, accidents or even deaths.

“These will be the times when we need each other most,” said Sng, who is also Pelagus assemblyman.

He reminded those from the two districts who were already settled in the urban areas not to lose touch with their roots.

“You must always keep in contact or in touch with your elders or other family members who are still at home in your district or longhouse.

“And this club can play its role accordingly to educate members on the importance of preserving our roots, distinctive ways of living and also unique cultures. Stress always on the importance of regularly keeping in touch with our folk back home,” he emphasised.

He also pledged to give his full support to KKADSK in its future activities.

“For a start, I’m pleased to announced a minor rural project grant of RM10,000 to KKADSK,” he said.

At the function, the assistant minister was shown the 781 membership application forms that had been received by the pro tem committee so far from a total of 218 families who hailed from Song and Kapit districts by pro tem chairman Nelson Ngalang Ajan.

Sng also presented a set of computer to two blind brothers Harry and Spencer John from Rumah Jarub, Nanga Sepadi, Sungai Katibas, Song.

The computer was jointly donated by KKADSK and Sadia to help them do their school work.

Harry and Spencer who are in Primary 4 and Primary 3 respectively at the School for the Blind in Kuching could not attend the function as they were still occupied with their school work and the computer was presented to their happy grandmother Sangga Ureh, who received it on their behalf.

Munan and Sadia also spoke during the function.

Sng also presented each and every pro tem committee member of KKADSK with their letters of appointment and badges.