Long Kevok to have new village chief

LONG KEVOK, Baram: Long Kevok villagers yesterday unanimously proposed two candidates to fill the post of village chief which has been vacant since last year.

The two candidates Lucas Seman and Ayut Geng were announced at a function held at the Long Kevok multipurpose hall to thank the former village chief Seman Ngang who retired last year.

“The previous village chief Seman Ngang, retired last year and since then we have yet to have a new village chief because many do not dare to take up the post.

“However, we have met and unanimously agreed that Lucas and Ayut be the new Long Kevok village chief candidates,” said organising chairman Unong Seman in his speech at the ceremony.

“Their names will be sent to the district officer (DO) and all the decisions to determine one of them to be the head of the village in the future will be greatly appreciated.”

Lucas is Seman’s son, while Ayut is his son-in-law .

Seman, a Penan, has been village chief from 1977 to 2016.

“He has made the Penan people here proud as he has been the village head for 39 years during which many development projects have been implemented in Long Kevok ,” Unong said.

According to Unong, one of the achievements was the appointment of Long Kevok as a Penan service centre in the area in 1990.

Among other projects that have been implemented are schools, clinics and libraries.

The function yesterday was officiated by Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.

“This ceremony is truly meaningful for the villagers to commemorate the services and sacrifices of their former village chief, TK Seman Ngang, who has been excellent in his service for 39 years.

“His constant hard work with the local community in collaboration with the government had transformed Long Kevok into a village that we can be proud of,” Dennis said.

Dennis contributed RM2,000 for the event.

Dennis also said he would include a new multi-purpose hall at Long Kevok in the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) project for 2018.

More than 200 people from 19 Penan villages attended the event which was made merrier with traditional Penan dance performances.

Dennis (seated sixth right) and Unong (fifth right) during a photo call with other guests at the Majlis Penghargaan Jasamu Dikenang TK Seman Ngang at Long Kevok multipurpose hall.