Successful inaugural ‘Pesta Penguman Asen’
LONG LAMA, Baram: The inaugural Telang Usan ‘ Pesta Penguman Asen’ ( Local Food Festival) held here from Jan 2627 proves to be a great platform for entrepreneurs to market their products and for promoting local cultures to visitors from near and far me.
Organised by the Telang Usan District Office in collaboration with several government departments, private agencies, nongovernmental organisations, people’s representatives and constituents of Telang Usan, the festival featured more than 10 entrepreneurs from various villages in the Baram district.
It provided a platform for the entrepreneurs to promote and sell agricultural and handicraft products and improve their socio- economic status as well as to expand their businesses locally and abroad.
Maister Lolee, 54, who is the headman of Penan village Long Leng, said participating in the programme was truly an eye- opener and he hoped more business opportunities would come his way.
“Our handicraft products are 100 per cent made from rattan. Handicraft products are the main source of our income and we have sold these products up to Miri.
“We are planning to sell these products abroad but we have not been able to figure out how to do it. Therefore, we would like to request for the state government and relevant agencies to hold entrepreneurship courses and organise related activities at our village in Long Leng,” Maister told The Borneo Post when met at the festival.
Maister added that the festival
This festival is very interesting. Apart from providing a platform for entrepreneurs from here to promote and market their products, it also gives us the opportunity to showcase our traditions and cultures.
was a great avenue for him and the villagers to sell their products to a wider market.
“I look forward to the establishment of a collection, processing and packaging centre ( CPPC) here in Long Lama as announced by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in his officiating speech earlier today.
“This could give much improvement as we are also planning to produce a huge variety of handicraft products in the near future,” he added.
Spanski Steven from Uma Akeh said the event enabled him to promote products from his village to a wider market.
“This festival is a good effort to promote traditions of our local community and I am glad to witness many visitors here today who are keen to learn more about our cultures.
“We are selling a variety of traditional food including fermented durian and pounded tapioca leaves as well as our well-known durian puffs,” added Spanski.
Uma Akeh emerged as champion for ‘ The Most Delicious Durian’ and first runner- up in The Biggest Durian competition at the festival.
A Bulgarian, who only wanted to be known as Sdravko, expressed his excitement at the festival.
“I feel really good to be able to come here and meet the rural community in Long Lama. Their durians taste very good. I am looking forward to come here again and enjoy myself at this festival,” said Sdravko, who walked four hours from Loagan Bunut to Long Lama just to take part in the festival.
As for Jok Aran Jalong, a 56year- old Kayan visitor from Long Laput, the festival should be held for many more years to come as it had proved to be a great avenue for the rural community to improve their socio economic standing.
“This festival is interesting. Apart very from providing a platform for local entrepreneurs to promote and market their products, it also gives us the opportunity to showcase our traditions and cultures,” he added.
Long Laput emerged as champion in the Biggest Durian competition at the festival. During the two- day festival, visitors feasted on a wide range of products and also participated in exciting activities including ‘ Makan Durian Sepuasnya’ (eat as much durians as you can).
The ‘ Pesta Penguman Asen’ was officiated by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Others present included Assistant Minister of Local Government and Marudi assemblyman Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Bukit Kota assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development and Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus, State Legislative Assembly deputy speaker and Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, State Science Research advisor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Miri Resident Sherrina Hussaini, Telang Usan district officer Baru Tai who is the festival organising chairman, political secretary to the chief minister Charles Balan Seling, Kayan paramount chief Temenggong Elizabeth Deng and Kenyah paramount chief Temenggong Joseph Ngau Lian.
Jok Aran Jalong, Kayan visitor from Long Lapu