SIBU: The approach of bringing government services directly to the people continues to be strengthened through the organisation of the Sibu Division Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) programme 2026 which began on Friday.

The pre-launch ceremony officiated by Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang was symbolic of the start of the programme which will run for three days from 10 to 12 July.

At the same ceremony, he also launched the Sarawak Pavillion & Services and Sibu Kitchen & Sales.

Meanwhile, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar also took the opportunity to visit the Sibu Division development exhibition site as well as the pavilions of government agencies and departments.

The Sarawakku Sayang programme is an initiative of the Sarawak Government which highlights the concept of an on-the-ground approach, thus providing a one-stop platform that brings together government agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector to facilitate public access to various services and information on state development.

The organisation of SKS is also centered on three main objectives, namely delivering government policies, initiatives and services directly to the people, strengthening the relationship between the government and the local community, as well as fostering a spirit of togetherness, unity and love for Sarawak.

In conjunction with the pre-launch, the public began visiting the Sarawak Pavilion & Services which housed various development exhibitions and service counters from ministries and government agencies to enable various matters to be resolved in one location.

Also a highlight of the programme was the Sibu Kitchen & Sales which brought together local entrepreneurs through the sale of food, local products and handicrafts, thus opening up space for small and medium enterprises to expand their markets.

In an effort to provide a comprehensive overview of the state's development, visitors were also presented with an exhibition of Sarawak's development projects including developments that are currently and will be implemented in the Sibu Division.

In addition, various counters involving the health, education and human capital development sectors, entrepreneurship, social and welfare, digital and innovation as well as payments and services were also provided to make it easier for the people to obtain information and deal directly with relevant agencies.

The programme not only focuses on service delivery, but also revitalises the community spirit through various recreational activities, grassroots sports and community programmes that encourage participation from all levels of society.

To highlight the state's rich heritage, the Sarawak Cultural Night will be one of the main events through multi-ethnic cultural performances that reflect the uniqueness and diversity of Sarawak's culture.

The programme will also continue with various healthy lifestyle-oriented activities such as the SKS Fun Run, SKS Fun Walk, Aerobicthon Challenge as well as traditional sports competitions that are expected to attract participation from the local community.

As a token of appreciation to visitors, the programme this time will also provide an e-Contest that offers daily prize draws and grand prizes throughout its duration, adding to the excitement. -UKASnews