Iban Remun eye Bukit Semuja
KUCHING: The Serian Iban Remun Association (Sira) strongly feels that the new Bukit Semuja state constituency should be given to the community, as they really need to be represented in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
On Friday, two executive committee members, Charam Menja and Robert Banyi, joined Kampung Triboh chief Albert Moni Igang, the village’s development and security committee (JKKK) head Pansin Bajah, Kampung Belimbing chief Lajang Genda and Kampung Kuala chief Duncan Bedali in a press conference, set out as a platform for them to express hope for the new constituency to be given to the Iban Remun community.
Each of them said it was a very reasonable request, in view of the large number of members of the Remun ethnic group across Serian Division, which has a total population of 14,000 and more than 8,000 voters.
According to them, the population of Iban Remun in Serian is about 14,000 — second largest after the Bidayuhs. Thus, they said it would be a great honour should one of them get the chance to represent the community in DUN.
“It is a very reasonable request — one that we sincerely request and appeal from Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan,” they jointly said, highlighting that the proposal was also in line with Adenan’s policy of giving chance to all ethnic groups to be represented in DUN, as well as his move to bring development into the rural areas.
They said that they had sought advice from Barisan Nasional (BN) top leadership and also submitted a letter to Adenan in December last year on the matter.
They further said the community had identified a potential candidate — Eli Luntai who is a teacher with a degree in English Language, as well as Diploma in Human Resource Development and Education.
According to them, Eli — Sira’s founder and its president since 2008 — is approachable and wellliked by many, also having vast experience in dealing with the public.
They said it was up to Adenan to decide on which BN component party it would pick for Bukit Semuja, but they hoped that the candidate would come from the Iban Remun community.
Bukit Semuja, which is among 11 new state areas, was carved out from Tebedu and Kedup. It is under Serian parliamentary constituency.