Rep urges Penan villagers to unite under their JKKK
LONG LILIM, Baram: Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau has advised the Penan villagers of Long Lilim to unite under its village security and development committee (JKKK) and not to form a separate residents body.
He said this matter should be taken into serious consideration for continuous unity and cooperation among the rural villagers.
“Long Lilim already has a village security and development committee and church council which will be assisting the longhouse chief in managing the longhouse.
“Thus, I am requesting the residents of Long Lilim not to form a resident’s association in this longhouse as it would only lead to disarray and disunity. Ignorance on this matter would lead to the emergence of some parties who wish to divide the longhouse residents with no one gaining anything out of it,” said Dennis to an audience of 248 residents of the 60-door longhouse during a visit to oversee development here last Friday.
Dennis called on the longhouse folk to continue working closely together with their headman KK Freddy Laing in ensuring the success of various development programmes and activities planned for their benefit.
“To manage a longhouse is not an easy task. It requires continuous support from all residents. We should always come into mutual agreement to help implement development projects for the villagers,” he said.
Dennis revealed that there were already some villages in his constituency which had formed resident’s association.
“I can see that such associations are incapable of working together with their headmen. Residents in these villages went on to lead their separate ways,” he noted.
Dennis pointed out that villagers must collaborate and co-operate with government representatives to ensure successful implementation of development programmes in their village.
He revealed that he had requested for the upgrading of Long Lama clinic to include better facilities for the benefit of the local communities.
Dennis noted that the Penan community has gone through transformations ‘as today we could see the difference from the way the community live their lives compared to more than 50 years ago’.
“This is mostly due to the emphasis on the importance of education to the rural community.
“Education plays a vital role in determining whether the people can compete on a global front and ensuring continuous development and progress. The rural community must also play a role in nation building by being highly knowledgeable.
“The state government places strong emphasis on education. We must ensure that every child has access to good education for better livelihood in the future,” said Dennis.
At the event, Dennis announced minor rural project (MRP) grants totalling RM13, 000 for various development activities at the longhouse including repairing of the ‘ruai’ (public corridor) and sports field, purchasing of sports equipment and for the local church activities.
Long Lilim already has a village security and development committee and church council which will be assisting the longhouse chief or headman in managing the longhouse. — Dennis Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman