Respect, work with headmen, rep tells villagers
LONG PALAI, Marudi: A longhouse chief needs strong and continuous support from all his villagers to enable him or her to lead effectively.
Therefore, once a village head is duly appointed and receives his or her appointment certificate from the Sarawak government, everyone in that longhouse must respect the state’s decision and work with their village chief for the benefit of everyone in the longhouse.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau made these remarks at the thanksgiving ceremony and ‘Majlis Adet’ on the appointment of Geread Tekiling Ajang as headman of Long Palai last Monday.
Long Palai is a Kenyah longhouse in Ulu Baram, about five hours’ drive by 4WD vehicle from Miri City.
“It is alright and perfectly normal if villagers have different views on who they want to lead their longhouse as this is part of the process to decide a leader for their longhouse. Everyone must be given the opportunity to voice their opinions but what is of paramount importance is once the state government makes its decision the longhouse folks must look forward and give the appointed headman their utmost support,” Dennis said.
It is alright and perfectly normal if villagers have different views on who they want to lead their longhouse as this is part of the process to decide a leader for their longhouse. Everyone must be given the opportunity to voice their opinions but what is of paramount importance is once the state government makes its decision the longhouse folks must look forward and give the appointed headman their utmost support.
Dennis Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman
Dennis then shared the process of appointing a new headman in his constituency.
He said it must go through the usual practise - starting with listening to the views of the immediate past headmen, elders or the village and community leaders either the Temenggong, Pemanca or Penghulu before the state government makes the final decision, pointing to the Adet Kayan Kenyah book published by Majlis Adat Istiadat Negeri as an important reference.
On another matter, Dennis urged the young generation who mostly reside and work away from their longhouse to take part in their longhouse development planning and efforts.
“You, the younger folks are mostly educated and with vast working experiences and mixing well with other progressive communities, could bring your ideas on how to make your longhouse a better place to live in.”
On the longhouse elders, he said: “We must not ignore them as their wisdom is our sources of reference in times of difficultly.”
Dennis advised the village chiefs and community Leaders in his constituency to work closely with the state government.
At the event, Penghulu Anthony Kule Lalo, representing Telang Usan district officer Baru Tai, handed the appointment certificate and Sarawak state flag to Geread Tekiling.
Dennis thanked former Long Palai headman Martinus Mato Lian for contributing greatly to the development of Long Palai and bringing the longhouse to what it is today.
Present were political secretary to the chief minister Charles Balan Seling, TK Mathew Belulok, TK Lucia Paya and councillors Jok Ngau and Gabriel Uking Laing.