A total of 1,430 Komuniti Harapan Malaysia (KHM) have been established throughout the country to disseminate information from the government and to foster a sense of unity among the people.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the public's participation was very important in carrying out their role as strategic partners through the platform provided by the Information Department.

"Of these, 184 have been established in Sarawak as of Aug 23, 2019," he said in a speech at the 2019 Merdeka@Komuniti programme in Kampung Semeba, Batu Kitang in Kuching today.

He also believed that KHM would be able to carry out the responsibility of gathering feedback from the public on government policies as well as their aspirations, and at the same time, strengthen the communication and cooperation among the multiracial society.

"The appointed KHM committee members bear a huge responsibility because they are the extended arms, eyes and ears of the government in communicating the information and concerns of the people and in helping all government initiatives to reach their targets," Gobind (photo) added.

The Merdeka@Komuniti programme is part of the government's efforts to forge cooperation between local leaders and the community as strategic partners in developing the country.

Also present at the programme today were Stampin MP and Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Chong Chieng Jen, as well as Information director-general Roselindawati Abdul Rahman.

Meanwhile, Chong, during his speech, urged the people to support the government in its efforts to keep the country's administration clean from corruption and abuse of power.

"In conjunction with the theme of Malaysia Day, 'Sayangi Malaysiaku: Malaysia Bersih’, let's work together to make Malaysia better, with a more efficient and transparent form of governance," he said.

- Bernama