MP: Longhouse folk now have official avenue to nominate ‘ tuai rumah’
SIBU: Longhouse villagers can now submit the names of those whom they deem qualified to become their ‘tuai rumah’ (chieftains) to their respective district offices.
According to Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, the district office would then forward the nominees to the Resident’s Office for further vetting before the final decision is made.
He assures the longhouse folk that the state administration has agreed to this option.
“Former chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had agreed that this was the most agreeable method, when I met him at his office months before he passed away,” he said at a meet-thepeople session in Rumah Barak, Lubok Ranggir in Ulu Merurun near Julau on recently.
Moreover, Salang acknowledged that tuai rumah are getting younger and younger these days.
“Many also possess good academic qualifications and as such, they can be better agents of change and progress for the rural community.
“Still, I would like them to visit and have talks regularly with all government officers and the elected representatives. They should learn the relevant development policies and programmes that can help elevate the standard of living of the rural folk,” he said.
Salang also advised the longhouse chieftains to do followups after having applied for funds to cover whatever programmes.
“Do follow-ups and regular visits (to concerned distributors of funds) to show your seriousness and commitment in your programmes,” he said.
Salang, who is also chairman of 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council (1MSAC), later visited two other longhouses in the area.