Longhouse headmen in Nangka want a Bumiputera to be Sibu Municipal Council deputy chief
SIBU: Chieftains from 34 longhouses across Nangka state constituency are calling for the post of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman to be given to a Bumiputera.
Tuai Rumah Philip Jimbon and Tuai Rumah Eddy Jemat, acting as spokespersons for the group, said the reason behind this call was the principle of power-sharing under the whole democratic process.
“We have yet to see a Bumiputera holding that post. So, it is our fervent hope for the post to be given to a Bumiputera,” Philip said yesterday, adding that PBB had won Nangka with a large majority.
Recently, Sibu Malay-Melanau Association (SMMA) chairman Abang Abdul Hamid Abang Bolhasan said it was high time that the post to be deservedly allocated to a Bumiputera, in that the community constituted about 40 per cent of the total population in this division.
“To have a Bumiputera sitting on that chair is not out of the ordinary, as other local authorities in Chinese-majority (areas) have done it,” he said.
On May 23, Bumiputera leaders in Miri also urged Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to give the Miri mayor’s post to a PBB member.
Several leaders of PBB and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Miri argued that since PBB had been helping SUPP win election for years, including resounding victories in Senadin and Piasau in the May 7 state election, the party’s efforts should be reciprocate with the mayor’s post in the spirit of power sharing.
SERIAN: It was a treat for 150 less fortunate members of society here as they received contributions from Yang di-Pertua Negeri (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud during a high tea gathering yesterday held in conjunction with the state-level celebration of Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday at Serian Community Hall.
Each of the recipients comprising senior citizens, the disabled and single mothers was given RM100 and a hamper.
Taib and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib were accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and wife Datin Amar Doreen Lee, as well as Youth, Sports and Solidarity Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin and wife Datin Sri Mary Manyin on stage during the presentation.
This division had been chosen to host the state-level celebration this year with over 1,000 people comprising members of the state cabinet, senior government officials, local leaders, invited guests and also locals turning up.
There was also a cake-cutting ceremony performed by Taib and Raghad with other dignitaries looking on.
Those attending were treated to food and drinks and a host of entertainment and cultural performances.
Later, Taib proceeded to launch the special ‘Raja Kita’ (Our King) exhibition showcasing the history, background and information on the nation’s constitutional monarchy.
State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohammad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Public Utilities Minister Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Assistant Minister for Resource Planning Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister for Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, as well as former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and wife Dato Sri Empiang Jabu, were among the dignitaries at the event.