KUCHING: Sarawak will prepare festive goodies to be distributed to security and enforcement personnel on duty during the Hari Raya celebration in April, says Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.

       The State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Minister said 12,000 boxes would be packed for 11 federal and state agencies in the ministry's annual Sumbangsih Raya programme.

       "This gift is a box of love expressing our appreciation, care and prayers for security and enforcement personnel in carrying out their duties, especially at a time when everyone else is on holiday," she said after chairing a committee meeting on the goodies at Wisma Wanita here on Tuesday (Jan 16).

       The Sumbangsih Raya programme, which started in 1990 with the Armed Forces and police as recipients, has now been expanded to 11 agencies, including the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Civil Defence Force, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit as well as the Fire and Rescue, Prisons, Immigration, Customs and Road Transport departments.

       Fatimah said the goodies would be packed at Wisma Wanita on March 13, followed by a symbolic handover by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in a ceremony scheduled for March 15.

       After that, she said, the ministry would visit the agencies involved to foster closer ties with them.

       "We have programmes with some of the agencies. For example, we work with the police on programmes to tackle scams, substance abuse and sexual violence against women and children.

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       "So these visits are also an opportunity for us to exchange views about our programmes," she said.