By: John T
KIULU: The Persatuan Kesejahteraan Bumiputera Sabah (PKBS), whose mission is to improve the wellbeing of communities through health awareness, agricultural development and education, was officially launched yesterday (Sunday).
The event was graced by KK Drinks Sdn Bhd executive director Melissa Wong and JW Group managing director Jonathan Wong, who represented the managing director of WSG Group Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen at the event held at Pusat Kokurikulum Sabah, Kem Malangang here.
The programme was held in collaboration with Kelab Rukun Tetangga (KRT) Mantap Kiulu and SK Malangang Baru.
Melissa said villagers in rural areas lack the exposure to facilities necessary for agricultural development.
She believes that PKBS could overcome the issue by connecting them to government assistance, as well as assist in collecting their produce and marketing their harvest to urban areas.
“In terms of education, villagers can learn more about where to sell their products and how to work together as a team to grow through the association.”
Melissa, who is also the director of the WSG Group, said corporations could assist the development of rural communities by giving them exposure and supporting their programmes.
“We also share our resources with PKBS as a way of showing our support.” In addition, she said that the JW Group, helmed by her brother, Jonathan, is in the agricultural industry, and thus he could share his experience in marketing.
The event, which was mainly sponsored by the WSG Group, KK Drinks Sdn Bhd and the JW Group, also included community health screening, the Jualan Rahmah Madani programme and a lucky draw session.
Meanwhile, PKBS chairman Arizan Ariffin Gadait said the theme of the association is community wellbeing, focusing on health, agriculture and education.
He said the association has provided health screening services for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and obesity for villagers, as well as organised a health talk to promote awareness on physical, mental and spiritual health.
On agricultural development, Arizan lamented that the local community face the challenge of long distances in transporting their produce to urban areas.
He added that farmers also receive a lower price for their produce from middlemen. He continued to say that the Department of Agriculture offers grants and seedlings to farmers, yet the assistance did not reach the villagers.
“As an association, we can gather our members and apply for this assistance from the Department of Agriculture.”
Arizan said the PKBS could also collect agricultural produce from villagers and transport the goods to urban markets, as well as set up a factory to process fruits.
In terms of education, he said the association could promote awareness among students of their study and career goals.
On another note, Arizan said the WSG Group is currently developing the Benoni New Township on 100 acres of land in Papar.
He said the development has opened up a lot of job and business opportunities, as well as enabled many to own a home. “We hope that the WSG Group will expand their development to Tuaran soon.”
KRT Mantap Kiulu chairman Ariffin Gadait hoped that the PKBS could become an intermediary in introducing new agricultural methods or technology to the villagers.
A total of 182 participants took part in the community health screening programme, which is among the highest in Sabah under the Tuaran District Health Office.
