ICU JPM Approves 463 Sejati Madani Programme Grants Worth RM23.7 Mln In Melaka

ALOR GAJAH, Oct 10 (Bernama) – The Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM), through the Melaka State Development Office, has approved 463 applications involving grants amounting to RM23.7 million for the Sejahtera Komuniti MADANI (SejaTi MADANI) programme from March until yesterday.

Melaka ICU JPM Deputy Director, Afzai Nizam Sandiman said the grants were channelled to 422 Village Development and Security Committees (JPKK), seven Settlement Development and Security Committees (JKKR), 12 New Village Development and Security Committees (JPKKB), two Orang Asli Village Development and Security Committees (JPKKOA), as well as 20 residential associations in the state, involving the implementation of five key programme sectors.

He said of the total, 197 applications with grants worth RM7.6 million were approved for the Melaka Tengah district, while for Jasin, 138 applications with grants worth RM7.7 million were approved.

"As for the Alor Gajah district, 128 applications with grants amounting to RM8.4 million were approved for the implementation of projects in the designated focus sectors, which are agriculture and food, sewing and handicrafts, herbs and health, tourism and hospitality, as well as green activities and recycling.

"As of now, applications are still open with a maximum grant of RM100,000, and there are still applications under consideration and awaiting approval," he told reporters here, today, after the launching ceremony of the Seri Percha Homestay by Machap Jaya assemblyman and State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman, Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem.

Elaborating further, Afzai Nizam said for the Machap Jaya state constituency, 29 projects were approved with a total grant value of RM1.59 million, involving 14 JPKK, JKKR, and JPKKB.

He said according to the state’s application records, the most popular focus sectors were agriculture and food, followed by herbs and health, tourism and hospitality, green activities and recycling, and lastly, sewing and handicrafts.

Meanwhile, Ngwe said that the Seri Percha Homestay was developed by JPKK Hutan Percha utilising a grant provided through the SejaTi MADANI Programme under the tourism and hospitality sector.

He said the original premise of the homestay is a JPKK meeting room, which has been upgraded in an effort to generate income through programmes or activities related to the local community, thus easing the financial burden of the local state assemblyman.

"In addition, the operation of the homestay by JPKK members indirectly provides them with experience in managing a business and enables them to learn to become entrepreneurs.

"The strategic location of this homestay, situated above the Felda Tun Ghafar Hutan Percha Community Hall, makes it convenient for those hosting weddings to rent the space for rest or overnight stays," he said.

-- BERNAMA