KUCHING: Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Datuk Peter Minos has praised Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for showing his care and concern for minority groups like the Bidayuhs in the state.
In his statement issued on Thursday (Sep 3), Minos said, “By openly saying and clearly showing that he cares and is concerned, the chief minister gives hopes to minorities like the Bidayuhs of a better and assured future in Sarawak. That feeling gives them the confidence to go on in life.”
Minos, who is also the chairman of Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) pointed out that Abang Johari presented the association with nearly RM1 million for the furniture and fittings at its historical-tourism centre last year.
“All these indicate that the CM listens and cares for even small requests from the minorities. This is very good and inspires them,” he added.
Minos pointed out Abang Johari had given a total of RM16 million to DBNA to build its community hostel in two phases within the DBNA complex at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee here
Today (Thursday), the chief minister presented a cheque for the construction of the hostel.
Minos added that two years ago, the chief minister supported DBNA in its land documentation exercise to assist the Land and Survey Department to give Native Customary Rights (NCR) landowners titles under Section 6 and Section 8 of the Sarawak Land Code.
Hundreds of such landowners had now received their land titles.
“This is something big and great to the landowners,” said the MPKS chairman.
“This is very sweet music to small groups like the Bidayuhs because in some other countries, minorities are often neglected and are taken for granted by the big groups and ruling elites.
“The worst fear of any minority in any country is for them to be cast aside, while the dominant big groups control and dominate the politics and the economy, giving only the unwanted crumbs to the minorities.”
