‘Govt will continue to assist Penan community in Tegulang, Mentalun’
BINTULU: The Penan community in Tegulang and Mentalun resettlement area will continue to be assisted especially in socioeconomy and educational aspects to improve their lives from time to time, said Hulu Rajang Member of Parliament Datuk Wilson Ugak.
He said the state government through Sarawak Energy Berhad ( SEB) and other relevant government agencies had implemented various development programmes for the Penan community since their resettlement to ensure their welfare would always be protected as promised by the government.
“SEB at the moment through the Bakun Charitable Trust has provided education incentives for Penan students in Murum to encourage more Penan children to go to school,” he said, adding the incentives were meant to recognise the students’ efforts to attend school regularly, which had contributed to their improved academic performance.
Ugak was speaking at the Batu Tungun blessing ceremony and education incentives presentation for Penan Murum students at the ritual site of Taman Batu Tungun near the Murum dam recently.
“Thus the government has taken a wise action by putting up a special platform to carry out the ritual every year and a special site to enjoy the beauty of Batu Tungun and Murum dam for any visitor wishing to witness the beauty of the man-made lake,” he added.
Batu Tungun is a rock formation located on the right bank of the Murum River and is held sacred by the Penans of the area for generations.
Sarawak Energy recognises the significance of the Batu Tungun to the local Penans and the design of the Murum dam has taken into consideration the preservation of this rock formation as part of the cultural heritage of the indigenous community in the area.
Earlier, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon promised to help improve the infrastructure in Murum area especially the roads for the convenience of the locals.
He said it is the responsibility of the existing government to help the Penans in Murum who were affected by the construction of Murum dam.
“The government through SEB and the Murum Penan Development Committee ( MPDC) will carry out various approaches to bring more development to the Penan community,” said Chukpai.
Also present were Samalaju assemblyman Majang Renggi, Pemanca Tony Kulleh and MPDC chairman Labang Paneh.