JOHOR BARU: The Johor State government spent RM1.56 million to foster unity and bolster community health, last year.
Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said numerous programmes in collaboration with the State National Unity and Integration Department were held since the beginning of January this year.
Among them were the Akuagro Rukun Tetangga project, Duta Perpaduan Johor (unity ambassador), Human Capital Development workshops, among others.
The Akuagro Rukun Tetangga project's primary objective is to empower and activate the Residents' Committees through various activities centred around social integration.
"The project is able to fosters social integration and also generates income by curbing household expenses, when combined with elements of vegetable gardens and fish farming while they work as a community.
"The state-government made substantial investments on our youths, which is aimed at shaping them into future leaders…. however, ample focus is given to all age-group.
"Nobody is side-lined in our aim to be the first developed state in the country aligned with our Johor Maju agenda," he said.
"Unity among the people is one of our main agendas, thus cross-cultural programmes were initiated to provide early exposure to students on the diverse societal reality in Johor, emphasising the importance of Johoreans' multiracial cultures, and beliefs," he added.
Ling said RM180,000 worth of equipment was channelled towards the 90-volunteer patrol neighbourhood watch schemes (Skim Ronda Sukarela).
Meanwhile, to combat drug-related issue in the state, several efforts with the National Anti-Drug Agency were organised.
"We roped in the agency in our state-programmes, which adopted a holistic yet intensive enforcement approach.
"Besides creating awareness on its danger-related to its addiction, and rehabilitation initiatives, also got the relevant enforcement agencies to conduct roadblocks, and raids in high-risk drug areas.
"These efforts will boost the community's sense of security and also help reduced petty crimes," he said.
While, the recently concluded Johor Mini Carnival 2023 aimed at fostering the community's ties with government and state agencies.
A multitude of activities were organised including aerobics, a 1.5km fun run, leisure cycling, blood donation drives, health screenings, participating booths from various agencies namely the State Land and Mines office, Information Department, Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), and Digital Economic Centre (PEDi), among others.