Valuable insight gained from weeklong BAT trip
KABONG: Journalists in this year’s Borneo Post Adventure Team ( BAT) have gained valuable insight into the lives of rural communities after completing the seven- day six-night trip.
During the trip, journalists found that many of the rural folk continue to live in close-knit communities.
One example would be former village chief Saat Sidi from Maludam, who owns a motor repair shop and coffee shop.
He took in three slow-learners from the village and trained them to become motor repair shop assistants.
His coffee shop also serves as a one-stop centre for the distribution and delivery of mail.
BAT journalists also discovered the level of expertise in rural areas when it comes to boat building, with some boats costing from RM800,000 to RM1
Once we are no longer around, who will support the local songket weaving industry?
million.
Another important point for rural folk is the preservation of traditional skills, which they fear would be lost forever due to modernisation.
“Once we are no longer around, who will support the local songket weaving industry?” asked Sa’anah Suhaili from the Rajang Songket Weaving Group at their centre in Kampung Kuala Rajang, Belawai.
The trip also showed BAT journalists how Rural Transformation Projects ( RTPs) have indeed transformed the lives of rural communities by leaps and bounds.
The construction of roads, bridges, community halls, futsal courts, and supply of electricity and clean water are some of the projects being carried out.
Most of the villagers interviewed were appreciative of the projects initiated by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak ( GPS) government as they have led to a better standard of living.
Sa’anah Suhaili, Rajang Songket Weaving Group