By Aj Black
The Minister of Rural Development, Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun today stressed that MARA is committed to upgrade the business premises under MARA which is aligned with the Rural Premises Transformation Programme. The Minister today did a walkabout at the bazaar under MARA in Semenyih and had the opportunity to visit the entrepreneurs who are also the tenants in the complex.
This complex house 14 business premises with very affordable rental and are occupied by the local entrepreneurs from Semenyih constituency. The business concept is focusing on retail and IT related services, for example barbershop, stationary and bookstore, interior decoration, IT services including computer, telephone and accessories and Muslimah clothing line. In the event today, the Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun has presented cheques under Putra Financing scheme to two entrepreneur who are based at Bazaar MARA Semenyih and a key replica for the bazaar lot to one entrepreneur.
In her speech, the Minister reiterated the role of MARA in alleviating the social and economic status of the bumiputra. Taking into consideration the strategic location for businesses, MARA has also helped in providing training and financial assistance to the local entrepreneur. To date, MARA has 514 projects in the whole of Malaysia including 181 bazaars, 119 arcade, 189 commercial lots, 24 MARA Industrial Complex and 6 Halal Industrial Park. The Minister is hopeful that the programs that has been conducted and all future programs will be a catalyst to generate more economic activity and to generate more income in the rural areas. This will indirectly improve the standard of living for the constituents.
Earlier today, the Minister had the opportunity to officiate the Quick Win Creative Handicraft and Sewing Course under KEMAS. The event, which is also the first event attended by the Minister for today took place at the Kampung Rincing Hilir Community Hall, witnessing 15 participants receiving tool kit to help them to optimize their income from improved production output. The course is targeted to B40 community especially youth, participants under KEMAS program, single mother, housewives and person with special needs or disable, depending on the courses.
The second stop was made at the Hardcore Poor Housing Programme (PPRT) at Jalan Sungai Lalang. The recipient of this assistance is 84 years old Nani Miri from Kampung Sungai Kembong Hilir. Later at Baazar MARA Semenyih, the Minister announced another 4 recipients for the Housing Assistance Programme for maintenance and for new build house. The Ministry has allocated RM108k for this programme to enable the targeted recipients gets a proper and safer homes.
In her speech today, YB Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun has also shared her Ministry’s development plans under Pelan Harapan. Based on the 6 pillars namely Facilities, Economy, Entrepreneurship, Human Capital, Women and Delivery Services, the Ministry has started many programs to gear towards a prosper rural areas. It is hoped that the benefit will be transpired with a collective action between all parties.