Association working on Kelabit dictionary, Bible

MARUDI: Rurum Kelabit Sarawak is working to come up with a dictionary in Kelabit as well as a Kelabit translation of the Bible.

Rurum Kelabit Sarawak president Dr Philip Raja said this during the launching of the newlyformed Kelabit Senior Citizens Association recently.

“There is also the need to preserve the Kelabit language so that the younger generation can learn it,” he said.

He pointed out that members of the older generation of the Kelabit community are full of wisdom, which needs to be appreciated.

“They have hearts of gold. Their kindness, wisdom, and culture need to be passed over to the younger generation,” he said.

State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker and Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala launched the association.

PKR Stampin branch deputy youth chief Mok Hui Chung in giving the advice, said the water level at the areas around Batu Kitang was high when he visited Batu Kitang Old Bazaar with PKR Women national vice president Voon Shiak Ni yesterday.

“The water level at Batu Kitang area was high and the river was fast flowing. The water had covered the road in some of the areas and some of the residents had to move their cars out for safety,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

Mok, who also checked on the barrage at Batu Kitang, said the area would possibly be flooded if rain continues to fall for another day.

During the visit, Mok and Voon had the pleasure to be shown a photo by a shopowner in Batu Kitang only known as Phang, which showed the worst flood that hit the area in 1963.

“He was in his boat and what left to be seen were the roofs of the shophouses there. So we can see that the flood issue in Batu Kitang is a long standing issue for more than 50 years.”