Gerawat: Association a unifying platform for elderly folk of Kelabit Highlands
MARUDI: The newly-formed Bario-Miri Senior Citizen Association ( PWEBM) serves as an avenue for the elderly folk in the Kelabit Highlands to meet and socialise with one another, as well as to be involved in various activities meant to ensure that they would remain active in their golden years.
On this note, Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala commended the PWEBM committee, headed by their chairman Peter Iboh, for registering the association with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
Gerawat believed that through this effort, the association could become the bridge between the elderly folk here and the government, especially the relevant agencies like the Welfare Department.
“The association can help facilitate aid and services from relevant government agencies, as well as those from NGOs (non- governmental organisations) to members.
“I also understand that PWEBM comprises not only the elderly Kelabits, but also senior citizens from other communities. This is very good – a show of unity and harmony,” he said at the official launching of the association at Bario Community Museum Hall recently.
Adding on, Gerawat said with their wealth of knowledge and experience, the PWEBM members could become the ‘invaluable resources’ for the younger generation from the grassroots.
“The success of any organisation depends on its leadership. This is where the PWEBM can assist — guiding the young people to become future leaders of their community.
“Be rest assured that the government will assist,” he said, followed by an announcement of a RM15,000 allocation from his Minor Rural Project ( MRP) grant for the association.
Currently, PWEBM has 350 members.
On another matter, Gerawat assured PWEBM members that he would forward their request for the setting up of an activity centre to the state government.
“I understand that you need a centre to conduct your activities.
“In this regard, PWEBM can start by looking for and identifying a suitable site to build the centre. On my part, I will forward this request to the minister-incharge,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Ba Kelalan- born businessman Alfred Padan also pledged RM10,000 for the association to make uniforms for its members.
The function was also attended by Rurum Kelabit Sarawak (RKS) president Dr Philip Raja and its advisor Datuk Isaac Lugun, PWEBM advisor Penghulu Freddy Abun Tadam, as well as local community leaders Councillor John Terawe, Pemanca Philip Lakai Tuan and Penghulu Robertson Bala.